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FROM    THE    LIBRARY    OF 


REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,    D.  D. 


BEQUEATHED    BY    HIM    TO 


THE    LIBRARY    OF 


PRINCETON   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 


THL 


BOOK    OF    PSALMS. 


the       L  SEP  19  1936 


BOOK  OF  PSALMS; 


T  B A  N SLATED 


ENGLISH  VERSE. 


BY  GEORGE  BURGESS,  A.  M. 

RECTOR   OF    CHRIST    CHURCH,    HARTFORD- 


NEW  YORK: 
F.   J.   HUNTINGTON   AND  CO. 

174   PEARL    STREET. 
1840. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1839,  by 
F.  J.  HUNTINGTON  &  CO. 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Southern  District  of 
New  York." 


L  Skinner,  Printer, 
H  kRTFORD. 


TO    THE    CONGREGATION 

OF 

CHRIST   CHURCH,  HARTFORD, 
THIS    VOLUME, 

THE  RELAXATION  OF  A  FEW  YEARS 

WHICH   HAVE  BEEN  DEVOTED  AND  DUE 

TO    THEIR    SERVICE 

IN  THE  LORD, 

IS, 

IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  A  THOUSAND  KINDNESSES, 

RESPECTFULLY    AND    AFFECTIONATELY 

INSCRIBED  BY 

THEIR  PASTOR. 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  sister  arts  of  poetry  and  music  seem  to  have  been  consecrated 
from  their  infancy.  In  the  most  ancient  literature  of  the  world, 
the  most  ancient  poems  were  songs  of  praise.  When  Moses  a 
second  time  published  the  law,  immediately  before  his  death,  he 
taught  the  people  a  song,  to  be  transmitted  to  successive  generations; 
and  the  later  prophets  and  sages  of  Israel  renewed  from  age  to  age, 
the  echo  of  divine  minstrelsy.  The  seer  played  upon  the  harp,  while 
future  scenes  became  present  to  his  soul ;  and  the  hill  of  the  temple 
resounded  to  the  psaltery,  the  cymbal,  and  the  voice  of  sacred  song. 

In  the  Book  of  Psalms  we  possess  at  once  the  lyric  poetry  of  the 
Jewish  nation,  and  the  inspired  prayers  and  praises  of  holy  men  of 
old.  The  entire  collection  has  commonly  been  named  the  Psalms  of 
David,  because  most  of  them  were  the  work  of  that  sweet  singer  of 
Israel.  Many,  however,  were  written  by  other  authors,  at  various 
periods  between  the  age  of  Moses  and  the  return  from  the  captivity  ; 
a  space  of  a  thousand  years.  The  time  at  which  inscriptions  were 
prefixed  to  so  many  of  the  Psalms,  is  uncertain ;  but  the  circumstance 
that  these  inscriptions  are  not  universal,  and  the  arguments  which 
seem  to  shew  the  incorrectness  of  some  of  them,  forbid  us  to  believe 
that  they  were  added  in  the  days  of  the  authors  themselves.  Some 
of  them  are  directions  to  the  master  of  the  music,  as  well  as  indica- 
tions of  the  writer  or  occasion;  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  in  the 
time  of  the  second  temple,  all  these  inscriptions  were  prepared,  the 
names  of  the  several  authors  being  given,  so  far  as  they  had  been 
transmitted  by  special  traditions.  Of  the  fifty-one  anonymous  Psalms, 
a  considerable  portion  must  certainly  be  ascribed  to  David.    The 


Vlll  INTRODUCTION. 

efforts  of  some  commentators  to  fix  or  conjecture  the  historical  occa- 
sion of  each  Psalm,  betray  a  singular  disregard  of  common  probabili- 
ties; as  if  all  must  have  received  their  origin  from  some  of  the  few 
events,  which  are  related  in  the  Old  Testament.  Bishop  Ilorsley 
has  well  spoken  of  these  efforts  as  "  misapplied  labours,  employing 
much  ingenuity  and  leisure''  in  vain. 

"  The  Psalter.'*  says  the  best  of  the  practical  commentators,"  "  was 
the  liturgy  of  the  Jewish  Church."  In  the  temple  sen  ice,  the  Psalms 
were  sung  by  alternate  choirs ;  and  at  this  day,  in  the  synagogues, 
the  congregation  respond  to  the  precentor.  Our  Saviour  and  the 
apostles  undoubtedly  united  their  voices  with  the  voices  of  the  na- 
tion, in  these  sacred  songs  ;  and  at  the  establishment  of  the  Christian 
Church,  they  were  immediately  transferred  to  its  public  and  ]>rivate 
worship.  The  early  Christians  sang  them  when  they  were  assembled 
for  divine  service ;  when  they  buried  their  dead ;  before  and  after 
their  meals  ;  and  amidst  their  families,  before  retiring  to  rest.  They 
were  heard  from  the  lips  of  the  labourer  and  the  soldier,  the  house- 
wife and  the  traveller.  In  reading  the  history  of  the  primitive 
Church,  and  the  writings  of  the  Fathers,  we  seem  to  listen  to  one 
burst  of  psalmody  from  a  world  awaking  to  the  knowledge  of  its 
Redeemer.  "  The  Psalm,"  says  St.  Basil, t  u  is  the  calm  of  souls,  the 
arbiter  of  peace  :  it  represses  tumultuous  and  turbulent  thoughts  :  it 
restrains  the  violence  of  passion,  and  checks  lasciviousness.  The 
psalm  conciliates  hearts,  associates  those  who  are  divided,  and  recon- 
ciles enemies.  For  who  could  ever  hold  him  as  an  enemy,  with 
whom  he  had  raised  his  voice  to  God  I  So  also  the  singing  of  psalms 
unites  good  men  in  charity  :  it  finds  in  the  union  of  voices  a  certain 
bond  of  concord,  and  joins  the  whole  people  through  the  symphony 
of  a  single  choir.  The  psalm  pull  demons  to  flight,  Beoarefl  the  aid 
of  angels,  supplies  arms  airainst  nightly  terrors  is  PBpOM  from  daily 
labours;   the  .-afely  of  infants,  the  honour  of  \outh,  the  consolation  of 

the  aged,  the  most  becoming  ornament  of  woman:  it  peoples  the 
solitude,  it  instructs  tiie  forum."     "  The  Psalm,"  says  St.  Aml-i- 

bop  Hone.  i  Honi.mFs.l.  tUPfcfaetfc 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

"is  the  benediction  of  the  people,  the  praise  of  God,  the  discourse  of 
all,  the  voice  of  the  church,  the  loud  confession  of  faith,  the  full  devo- 
tion of  authority,  the  gladness  of  liberty,  the  shout  of  pleasure,  the 
exultation  of  mirth.  It  mitigates  wrath,  it  banishes  solicitude,  it  alle- 
viates sorrow.  It  is  nightly  armour,  daily  guidance,  a  shield  in  fear, 
a  holy  festival,  the  image  of  tranquillity,  the  pledge  of  peace  and  con- 
cord, forming  one  strain,  from  various  and  unequal  voices,  like  the 
lyre  with  its  many  strings.  The  dawn  of  day  resounds  with  the 
psalm ;  and  the  psalm  is  re-echoed  by  the  evening.  Women  are 
commanded  by  the  apostle  to  be  silent  in  the  church ;  but  in  the 
psalm  they  may  well  cry  aloud  :  this  is  sweet  in  every  age,  nor  for 
either  sex  unsuitable."  Other  hymns  might  be  sung ;  but  the  Psalms 
of  David  were  the  first  choice  of  the  Church.  To  the  present  time, 
the  Greek,  the  Roman,  and  the  English  Churches,  at  least,  make 
them  a  part  of  their  daily  service,  dividing  them,  according  to  the 
custom  of  antiquity,  into  portions  of  nearly  equal  length,  so  that  the 
whole  are  said  or  sung  within  a  certain  period.  No  where,  amongst 
Christians,  are  they  entirely  discarded  from  the  offices  of  the  sanctua- 
ry, or  from  the  devotions  of  the  family  and  the  closet.  Godeau, 
Bishop  of  Grasse,  in  the  preface  to  his  French  Paraphrase  of  the 
Psalms,  gives  honourable  testimony  to  the  old  Hugonot  usage. 
u  Those  whose  separation  from  the  church  we  deplore,  have  rendered 
their  version  celebrated,  by  the  agreeable  airs  which  skilful  musicians 
have  composed  for  them.  To  know  these  sacred  songs  by  heart  is 
amongst  them  as  it  were  a  sign  of  their  communion ;  and  to  our 
great  shame,  in  the  cities  where  they  are  most  numerous,  the  Psalms 
are  continually  heard  from  the  mouth  of  the  artizans,  and  in  the 
country  from  that  of  the  labourers ;  while  the  Catholics  are  either 
silent,  or  sing  indecent  songs." 

Such  an  employment  of  the  Psalms,  in  Jewish  or  Christian  times, 
could  be  supported  only  by  the  opinion  that  they  uniformly  expressed 
feelings  and  thoughts  which  might  be  generally  adopted  by  the  pious, 
or  else  which  belonged  appropriately  to  some  individual  in  whom  all 
had  a  religious  interest,  or  some  society  which  was  sacred  in  the  eyes 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

01  all.  That  individual  could  be  only  the  Messiah;  that  society  the 
Church.  It  has  been  accordingly  the  belief  of  all  ages  that  the  testi- 
mony of  Christ  is  the  spirit  of  this  sacred  book.  The  stream  of  an- 
cient interpretation  flows  fully  in  this  direction  ;  and  it  is  sanctioned 
by  the  authority  of  our  Lord  and  his  apostles.  For,  several  Psalms 
are  applied  in  the  New  Testament  to  Christ  and  the  redemption, 
winch  otherwise  we  should  never  have  so  understood  in  their  literal 
meaning.  What  is  this,  but  to  afford  us  a  key  to  the  spiritual  inter- 
pretation of  the  rest  I 

As  the  Psalms  were  originally  designed  to  be  sung,  and  as,  in 
modern  languages,  they  cannot  be  extensively  sung  except  in  a  metri- 
cal form,  they  have  required  and  received  poetical  versions.  The 
number  of  entire  versions  in  our  own  language  exceeds  thirty.  It  is 
remarkable,  however,  that  not  one  of  these  has  attained  any  eminence 
in  the  public  estimation;*  and  the  best  amongst  them,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  those  of  Tate  and  Brady  and  of  Watts,  are  very  little 
known.  The  version  of  Merrick  has  perhaps  the  most  of  literary 
merit ;  but  its  diffuseness  and  general  want  of  strength  must  always 
prevent  its  popularity.  The  other  translations  have  sometimes  very 
fine  passages  ;  but  no  such  uniform  excellence  as  could  win  lasting 
favour,  or  discourage  future  efforts.  Many  of  the  versions,  too,  like 
those  of  Watts  and  Goode,  are  rather  paraphrases  than  translations  ; 
expressing  rather  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  in  their  own  distinct 
form,  than  the  devout  feelings  of  the  Psalmist,  as  the  Spirit  taught 
him  to  utter  them  for  all  ages  to  come. 

In  the  present  version,  the  author  has  endeavoured  to  follow  the 
same  principles  which  would  govern  him  in  the  translation  of  any 
ancient  poems  into  English  verse  ;  to  be  so  literal,  as  to  give  the  very 
sentiment,  and,  if  possible,  the  spirit  of  the  original,  and  vet  so  free  as 
not  to  inflict  pain  on  the  reader  of  taste.  If  Im  \m\<  failed,  he  may  say 
with  Mr.    Goode,   "it  will  be  his  ><>laee   that  lie    has    tailed  amongst 

*The  version  of  Professor  Kcblc  had  not  ■ppeurcd,  or  WM,  at  Im*,  unknown 
in  America,  when  this  volume  was  placed  in  the  kinds  oftfae  publishers. 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

names  the  most  respectable  in  the  annals  of  piety  and  literature." 
He  will  but  have  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  in  a  region  where 
the  very  attempt  was  more  delightful  than  success  in  other  fields. 
The  charm  of  his  subject,  the  happiness  of  making  these  divine 
strains  more  truly  his  own,  has  already  more  than  rewarded  him ; 
and  he  lays  aside  the  harp  of  Sion  from  his  unskilful  hand  with  de- 
vout thanks  that  he  has  been  permitted  to  awaken,  for  his  own  soul  at 
least,  its  heavenly  melody. 


■ 


PSALM   I. 


How  bless'd  the  man,  who  will  not  stray- 
Where  godless  counsels  tempt  his  feet ; 

Who  stands  not  in  the  sinner's  way  ; 
Who  sits  not  in  the  scorner's  seat ; 

But  in  the  Lord's  most  holy  law 

Has,  day  by  day,  his  dear  delight, 
While  thence  his  heav'nly  musings  draw 

Sweet  strength  at  morn,  sweet  rest  at  night. 

He  blooms  as  blooms  the  tree  that  springs 
Where  mingling  waters  ceaseless  glide : 

Still  in  its  time  its  fruit  it  brings  ; 
And  still  his  fragrant  works  abide. 

But  like  the  chaff,  that,  on  the  gale, 

O'er  distant  fields  forgotten  flies, 
So,  when  thy  tempests,  Lord,  prevail, 

Th'  affrighted  sinner  flees  and  dies. 

Not  in  the  judgment's  hour  of  wrath 
Shall  they  to  truth's  fair  courts  ascend  : 

God  knows  and  loves  the  good  man's  path  ; 
But  their  broad  road  in  death  shall  end. 

NOTES. — In  some  manuscripts,  this  Psalm  is  not  numbered  :  in 
others  it  is  connected  with  the  second.  The  cause  may  have  been, 
mat  it  was  viewed  as  a  kind  of  proem  to  the  whole  collection.  Its 
character  fitted  it  for  this,  as  it  is  a  general  picture  of  the  happiness  of 
the  servant  of  God,  in  contrast  with  the  dreadful  end  of  the  scoffer. 
The  author  cannot  now  be  determined ;  and  there  is  nothing  in  the 
Psalm  to  fix  its  date,  or  assign  it  any  special  occasion.  It  is  re- 
2 


14  PSALM     I. 

marked  by  Gataker,  that  its  argument  m  the  same  with  that  maxim, 
often  repeated  by  me  Stoics,  and  found  in  Plato  as  the  words  of 
Socratef  i 

Oi  uyccGc)  ray  ccvQpa7rav  ivoccifAoves,  01  kclko)  aQXeof 

"The  good  arc  the  happy  :   the  bad  arc  wit  tched." 
But  in  the  Lord's  most  holy  lair.     The  law,  in  the   Psalms,   must 
he  viewed  as  embracing  the  whole  revelation  of  God,  by  his  word, 
in  his  works,  or  in  the  conscience  of  man. 

As  blooms    the  tree.      This   comparison  is  found    in   Jeremiah, 
xvii.  8. 

14  For  he  shall  be  as  a  tree  planted  by  the  waters, 

And  that  spreadeth  out  her  roots  by  the  river, 

And  shall  not  sec  when  heat  cometh, 

But  her  leaf  shall  be  green  ; 

And  shall  not  he  careful  in  the  year  of  drought, 

Neither  shall  cease  from  yielding  fruit.'' 
Where  mingling  waters  ceaseless  glide.  Canals  are  probably 
meant,  which,  in  those  parts  of  the  East  that  are  traversed  by  rivers, 
pass  from  them  into  the  country ;  as,  in  Egypt,  from  the  Nile;  in 
Erak  Arabi,  the  ancient  Babylonia,  from  the  Euphrates.  "  Such  ca- 
nals/' says  J.  E.  Faber,  "are  very  generally  bordered  with  trees. 
For  when,  during  the  heat  of  summer,  in  this  climate,  all  the  verdure 
of  the  trees  and  fields  dries  up,  so  that  the  most  pleasant  pastoral  re- 
semble parched  deserts,  and  a  stranger,  unacquainted  with  the  nature 
of  the  climate,  might  believe  that  the  land  would  never  resume  its 
verdure,  nor  a  tree  its  foliage  ;  the  trees  planted  near  the  river,  from 
which  they  draw  constant  refreshment,  even  during  the  greatest  heat, 
remain  unchanged  in  their  verdant  dress." 

And  still  his  fragrant  works  abide.  There  is  something  of  the 
same  ambiguity  in  the  original,  which  may  be  here  observed  in  the 
translation.  The  passage  from  the  figurative  to  the  literal  mode  of 
speech  is  by  no  means  distinctly  defined. 

Lilie  the  chaff.  In  the  East,  the  threshing-floors  are  in  the  open 
air,  often  in  elevated  places.  The  grain  was  either  trodden  out  by 
oxen,  or  beaten  out  with  instruments  which,  at  the  same  time,  cut  the 
straw  into  small  pieces;  and  afterwards,  the  whole  being  exposed 
with  a  fork  to  the  wind,  the  chaff  and  straw  were  borne  away,  and 
the  kernels,  the  clods  of  earth  wilh  grain  cleaving  to  them,  and  the 
Ban  not  yet  thoroughly  threshed,  fell  to  the  ground.  Then,  the  clods 
of  earth  were  collected,  broken,  and.  by  a  sieve,  separated  from  the 
grain.  Several  yoke  of  oxen  were  again  driven  over  the  heap;  and 
all  was  at  la>t  exposed  to  the  wind  by  a  fan.  Thus,  threshing,  the 
sieve  and  the   fan   became   the   frequent  emblems  of  destruction  or 

dispersion. 

Tin  jud<r, in  nCs  hour  of  wrath.  The  rhaldee  Paraphrase,  and  the 
Jewish  writers  generally,  interpret  this  of  the  last  judgment. 


PSALM     II.  15 


PSALM   II. 

Why  roars  the  nations'  stormy  ire  ? 

Why  chafes  their  tumult  vain  ? 
The  lords  of  earth  in  league  conspire, 

And  kings  their  warriors  train : 
Against  the  Lord  they  lift  their  hands  ; 

Against  his  Christ  they  say, 
11  Come,  let  us  break  their  slavish  bands, 

And  cast  their  chains  away  !" 

Enthron'd  above  the  starry  sky, 

Mid  many  an  angel  host, 
God  laughs  to  scorn  the  hostile  cry, 

And  mocks  the  rebel  boast : 
Nor  long  his  awful  voice  is  still ; 

It  utters  stern  disdain ; 
"  Yet,  firm  on  S  ion's  holy  hill, 

My  chosen  king  shall  reign." 

I  speak  the  Lord's  supreme  decree  ; 

"  This  day  my  Son  art  thou  : 
Ask,  and  the  heathen  thine  shall  be, 

And  earth's  wide  realms  shall  bow  : 
Thine  iron  rod,  thy  righteous  sway, 

Shall  quell  their  haughty  trust ; 
And,  like  a  vase  of  fragile  clay, 

Crush  all  their  might  to  dust." 

Ye  kings  of  earth,  take  counsel  here  ; 

Ye  chiefs,  be  timely  wise  : 
Rejoice  with  trembling ;  serve  in  fear  ; 

Nor  tempt  his  wrath  to  rise  : 
Do  homage  to  the  kingly  Son, 

Ere  yet  ye  sink  in  woe  : 
Be  but  the  wasting  flame  begun, 

How  bless'd  his  peace  to  know ! 


1G 


PSALM     II. 


NOTES. — The  authority  of  apostles  ascribes  the  woond  Psalm  to 
David,  and  designates  it  as  a  prophecy  of  the  mediatorial  reign  of  our 
Saviour.  ( Acta iv.  25— 27.  xiii.  33.  Heb.  i.  5.)  From  the  men- 
tion ofthe  "holy  hillofsion."  it  may  be  inferred  mat  it  i^aa  compo- 
sed alter  the  removaJ  ofthe  ark  to  JernaalenL 

Why  roars    tin    nations'    stormy    in  ?       With  nmilar    abrnptl 

Horace  addresses  the  Roman  people,  rushing  to  arm-.    (Epoo.  vii.) 
"Qno,  quo  Bceleati  rums  I  ant  cm  dexteris 

Aptantnr  enaee  conditi  .'" 
Oh,  whither,  whither,  rush  ye  in  yourgufll  ! 

Why  grasps  each  fierce  right  hand  th1  impatient  hilt  ? 
Against  his  Christ  they  say.     The  reader  will   hardly   need  to  he 
t<>Id.  that  Messiah  is  the  Hebrew  word,  of  which  Christ  is  the  Greek, 

and  Anointed  the  English. 

Come,  let  ns  Imul;  t/nir  slarish  bands.  This  and  the  following 
line  are  taken  from  the  version  of  Tate  and  Brady. 

Knthrond  above  the  starry  sky.  Such  a  representation  is  not 
only  scriptural,  but  in  correspondence  with  the  natural  instincts  of 
tin  soul,  and  therefore  with  the  imagery  of  all  languages  and  of  the 
heathen  poets. 

/  speak  the  Lord's  supreme  decree.  These  are  the  words  of  the 
Messiah. 

Thine  iron  rod.  The  rod  or  sceptre  of  remote  antiquity  was  a 
wooden  staff,  not  much  shorter  than  the  height  of  a  man,  with  golden 
studs  or  nails,  or  sometimes  ornamented  at  the  top  w  ith  a  round  knob. 
Such  are  seen  in  the  hands  ofthe  Persian  kings,  on  the  monuments 
of  Persepolis. 

And  like  a  vase  of  fragile  elay.     So  Jeremiah,  xix.  11. 

''Even  so  will  1  break  this  people  and  this  city, 

As  one  breaketha  potter's  vessel, that  cannot  be  made  whole  again." 

And  Isaiah,  \xx.  14. 

*  And  he  shall  break  it 

As  the  breaking  of  the  potter's  vessel,  that  is  broken  in  pieces." 

IV  Linus  of  earth.     The  prophet  resumes  his  own  addn 

Do  homagi  to  tin  l.ingly  Son.  A  kiss  was  sometimes  a  token  of 
homage.  (1  Sam.  x.  1.  1  Kings  xix.  I-.  Hos.  xiii.  2.  Job  xxxi. 
X7.)  It  was  an  ancient  custom  of  the  Persians,  to  give  it  w  hen  they 
took  the  oath  ofaJlegiance.  A  Greek  poet,  speaking  of  averting  the 
wrath  ofthe  Goddess  of  Vengeance,  iaj  i  •. 

Auth.  Grac  L.  vi. 
Who  hath  notkias'd  dread  Nemesis  divine. 


PSALM     III.  17 


PSALM   III. 


0  Lord,  how  many  are  my  foes  ! 
How  vast  a  host  to  crush  me  rose  ! 
How  many  deem  my  soul  dismay'd, 
And  cry,  "  his  God  no  more  shall  aid !" 

But  thou  my  stedfast  buckler  art; 

Thou  lift' st  my  head,  and  cheer' st  my  heart: 

My  pray'r  was  tow'rds  thy  holy  hill, 

And  thou,  O  Lord,  hast  answer'd  still. 

1  laid  me  down,  and  sweetly  slept ; 
I  woke,  for  God  my  slumbers  kept : 
Though  rage  around  me,  far  and  near, 
Ten  thousand  foes,  I  cannot  fear. 

O  Lord  my  God,  arise,  relieve  : 
Thine  arm  the  loftiest  helms  can  cleave  ; 
And  oft  has  cleft,  mine  aid  to  bring : 
Bless'd  are  thy  people,  Saviour  King ! 

NOTES.— The  title  prefixed  is,  "A  Psalm  of  David,  when  he  fled 
from  Absalom  his  son  ;"  and  the  Psalm  contains  nothing  inconsistent 
with  this  date,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  nothing  that  would  demonstrate 
its  correctness.  A  later  occasion,  however,  than  the  establishment 
of  the  sanctuary  on  Mount  Sion,  is  certainly  fixed  by  the  second 
stanza. 

The  word  u  Selah"  occurs  in  this  Psalm.  It  was  a  musical  direc- 
tion ;  and  "  should  therefore,"  says  Hammond,  "  be  omitted  in  trans- 
lations where  the  metre  and  music  is  lost."  This  is  equally  true, 
whether  the  Hebrew  poetry  was  strictly  metrical,  according  to  the 
theory  of  Bishop  Hare,  or  whether,  as  is  the  prevailing  opinion,  it 
had  no  other  rhythm  than  that  which  naturally  attends  its  parallelisms. 
On  neither  supposition,  could  a  direction  like  this  be  transferred  into 
another  language. 

Thine  arm  the  loftiest  helms  can  cleave.  The  figure  in  the  original 
seems  to  be  taken  from  wild  beasts,  whose  power  to  injure  is  chiefly 
removed,  when  their  jaws  and  teeth  are  broken.  I  have  thought 
that,  as  this  image  is  here  employed  to  represent  the  overthrow  of 
men,  it  might  be  given  with  sufficient  accuracy  by  the  line  which  is 
adopted  above. 

2* 


IS  PSALM     IV. 


PSALM  IV. 


Oh,  hear  me,  hear  me,  when  I  call, 
Thou  Lord,  whose  truth  to  me  is  all : 
Oft  hast  thou  sav'd  in  hours  of  tear ; 
Oh,  yet  in  mercy  bow  thine  ear. 

How  long  shall  men,  to  die  but  born, 
My  glory  change  to  shame  and  scorn  ? 
Why  seek  ye  still  each  vain  deceit, 
And  deem  the  words  of  falsehood  sweet  ? 

But  know,  the  Lord  hath  set  apart 
One  chosen  shrine,  the  upright  heart : 
And  he  who  sav'd  in  hours  of  fear 
Shall  yet  in  mercy  bow  his  ear. 

Then,  dread  his  wrath,  and  flee  from  sin, 
And  write  his  judgments  deep  within  : 
Try  thine  own  breast,  by  night,  alone, 
And  bend  in  silence  at  his  throne. 

Come  with  the  off 'ring  of  the  just, 
And  make  thy  God  thine  only  trust : 
While  thousands  cry,  some  good  to  see, 
Lord,  let  thy  face  shine  bright  on  me. 

.  It  glads  my  heart,  that  joy  divine, 
Far  more  than  wealth  of  corn  and  wine  : 
I  lay  me  down  to  peaceful  sleep, 
For  thou,  O  Lord,  alone  canst  keep. 

NOTES  — Thi<  Psalm  ia  entitled,  ••  for  the  chief  mrnneian  a  Psalm 
of  David,  upon  the  stringed  inrtramenlB,"  and  is  donbHeei  the  work 
ofthe  royal  poet 

Then  dread  his  wrath,  and  flee  from  m.  In  the  Septnagint,  Am  », 
"be  ye  angry  and  am  nor."  a  passage  transenbedin  the  Epwfleto 
me  fcphesians.  (iv.  26  |  It  \s  oot,  however,  cited  authoritatively  ; 
and  is  plainly  an  incorrect  interpretation. 


PSALM     V.  19 

Try  thine  oicn  breast.  These  frequent  changes  of  person  and 
address,  though  more  common,  perhaps,  in  the  Hebrew  poets  than  in 
others,  are  yet  in  all  literature  a  part  of  the  lyrical  style,  and  contribute 
to  the  peculiar  character  of  that  bold  kind  of  composition. 

Lord,  let  thy  fact  shine  bright  on  me.  How  beautiful  is  this  image, 
now  so  common,  which  unites  in  the  consciousness  of  divine  favour 
the  bright  smile  of  a  friend,  and  the  glory  of  that  light  which  was 
reflected  from  the  face  of  Moses  i 

Far  more  than  wealth  of  corn  and  zcinc.      An   abundant  harvest 
and  vintage  were  the  most  joyous  seasons  amongst  a  nation  of  hus- 
bandmen.    The  version  of  Bishop  Hall  is  here  the  best ; 
"  But  thou,  O  Lord,  lift  up  to  me 

The  light  of  that  sweet  look  of  thine; 
So  shall  my  soul  more  gladsome  be 

Than  theirs  with  all  their  corn  and  wine.1' 


PSALM   V. 


Oh,  take  the  praise  I  bring, 

And  sec  my  deep  desire, 
And  hear  my  cry,  thou  God  and  King, 

To  whom  my  pow'rs  aspire  : 
With  morn's  first  glimm'rings  bright, 

My  voice  shall  mount  on  high  ; 
And  heav'n  shall  open,  rob'd  in  light, 

On  mine  awaking  eye. 

Sin  shall  not  win  thy  smile, 

Nor  malice  dwell  with  thee, 
Nor  pride  thy  sacred  courts  defile, 

Nor  guilt  thy  judgment  flee  : 
Dark  o'er  the  men  of  lies 

Shall  hang  thy  stedfast  hate  ; 
And  wrath's  red  blade,  and  fraud's  disguise 

Shall  draw  th'  avenging  fate. 

But,  girt  with  mercies  round, 

Within  thy  gates  I  tread  ; 
I  turn  me  tow'rds  thy  temple's  bound, 

And  bow  in  sacred  dread : 


20  PSALM     V. 

Oh,  make  my  footsteps  true, 

For  many  iocs  are  nigh ; 
And  clear  before  my  peaceful  view 

Let  thy  dear  pathway  lie. 

Their  words  are  faithless  breath  ; 

Their  heart  destruction  weaves  ; 
A  tempter  to  the  halls  of  death, 

Their  flatt'ring  tongue  deceives  : 
Destroy  them,  God  most  just; 

Let  craft  its  own  betray  : 
Mid  countless  sins,  tread  down  like  dust 

The  rebels  to  thy  sway. 

But  they  who  love  thy  name, 

And  trust  thy  gracious  aid, 
Shall  loud  in  shouts  thy  might  proclaim 

In  their  defence  array' d  : 
For  on  the  righteous  head 

Thy  blessing,  Lord,  is  seal'd  ; 
And  thy  strong  love  is  o'er  him  spread, 

An  adamantine  shield. 

NOTES.— The  title  of  this  Psalm  is,  "  For  the  chief  musician,  a 
Psalm  of  David,  upon  the  wind  instruments."  Nehiloth  seems  a 
general  name  for  flutes  and  instruments  of  similar  construction.  The 
Psalm  may  without  improbability  be  supposed  to  have  been  written  at 
the  time  when  David  lived  at  the  court  of  Saul,  surrounded  by  per- 
fidious enemies.  Bishop  Horsley,  however,  imagines  it  to  be  the 
Erayer  of  a  Priest  or  Levile  at  the  altar  of  the  inner  court,  at  the 
our  of  the  morning  sacrifice. 

/  turn  me  toicrds  thy  temple's  hound.  If  the  temple  at  Jerusalem 
was  not  yet  erected,  as  it  was  not  at  the  date  mentioned  above,  it 
is  still  possible  that  the  Psalmist  might  thus  speak  of  the  divine  dwell- 
ing in  heaven.  In  later  times,  however,  the  distant  Jews  prayed 
with  their  faces  towards  Jerusalem.  (1  Kings  viii.  38,  48.  Daniel 
vi.  10.) 

A  tempter  to  the  halls  of  death.  St.  Paul  has  quoted  this  as  a  fit 
description  of  the  state  of  mankind,  both  Jews  and  Gentiles.  (Rom. 
ill  13.) 


PSALM     VI.  21 


PSALM  VI. 

Lord,  not  in  wrath  my  sin  reprove, 
Nor  let  thy  rod  in  vengeance  move  : 
Have  mercy,  Lord,  all  faint  I  cry, 
And  heal  the  frame  that  droops  to  die. 

My  limbs,  my  soul,  with  anguish  burn  : 
How  long,  O  Lord  ?  ah,  3ret  return  ! 
There  is  no  mem'ry  in  the  grave, 
Nor  death  can  praise  :  return,  and  save  ! 

My  weary  groans  have  no  repose  ; 
All  night  my  couch  with  tears  o'erflows  ; 
Mine  eyes  are  dim  and  dull  with  tears  ; 
And  foes  have  left  the  sign  of  years. 

O  men  of  guilt,  depart,  depart : 
The  Lord  hath  heard  my  weeping  heart : 
He  knows  my  pray'r,  he  owns  my  call ; 
In  shame  my  foes  shall  flee  and  fall. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician  on  the  stringed  instruments,  a 
Psalm  of  David,  upon  the  eight-stringed  harp."  It  was  composed  in 
deep  affliction;  but  whether  this  proceeded  from  bodily  sickness,  or 
from  the  persecutions  of  enemies,  or  from  the  heavy  consciousness 
of  guilt,  it  may  be  difficult  to  decide  with  confidence.  The  last  sup- 
position appears  not  improbable. 

There  is  no  mem'ry  in  the  grave.  In  passages  like  this,  the  view 
of  the  sacred  writers  of  the  Old  Testament  is  confined  to  death,  as 
the  end  of  all  mortal  events ;  and  retribution  in  the  eternal  world, 
although  they  surely  believed  it,  is  excluded  from  their  immediate 
contemplation.  Or,  if  a  still  more  solemn  meaning  be  here  connected 
with  the  grave,  it  might  well  be  pleaded  before  God,  that  condemna- 
tion and  destruction  cannot  glorify  him  as  he  desires  to  be  glorified. 

All  night  my  couch  icith  tears  overflows.  So  Homer,  Odyss.  xvii. 
102,  103. 

Azzpy.ai  ti$  tvvyv  q  f*.oi  royoegscc  rervxrat 

I  seek  the  couch  that  hears  my  weary  sighs, 
And  flows  with  floods  from  these  stul  streaming  eyes. 
And  foes  have  left  the  sign  of  years.     The  resemblance  between  the 
effects  of  sorrow  and  those  of  old  age  is  illustrated  by  too  frequent 


22  PSALM     VII. 

examples.     It  is  well  known  that  violent  grief  has  sometimes  covered 

the  head  with  gray  hairs.       Mr.  Fry,   at  this  passage,  cites  from 

Southey's  Roderick ; 

"  Sunk  was  that  eye 
Of  sov'reignty ;  and  on  th'  emaciate  cheek 
Had  penitence  and  anguish  deeply  drawn 
Their  furrows  premature,  forestalling  time, 
And  shedding  upon  thirty's  brow  more  snow 
Than  threescore  winters,  in  their  natural  course, 
Might  else  have  sprinkled  there." 
0  men  of  guilt,  depart,  depart.     These  are  the  words  of  our  Lord  to 

the  hypocrites,  in  the  judgment.     (Matt.  vii.  23.) 


PSALM  VII. 


O  Lord  my  God,  in  thee  I  trust : 

From  lion  foes  defend  ; 
Lest,  torn  and  trampled  in  the  dust, 

I  sink,  without  a  friend  ! 

O  Lord  my  God,  if  on  my  hand 

The  stain  of  guilt  I  hide  ; 
If  I  have  rent  the  peaceful  band, 

Nor  good  for  ill  replied  ; 

Then,  let  my  foe,  in  righteous  strife, 

Pursue  and  hunt  me  down  : 
Then,  let  him  trample  on  my  life, 

And  lay  in  dust  my  crown. 

Awake,  O  Lord,  in  wrath  awake : 

The  strong  oppressors  rave  : 
Come,  wielding  for  thy  servant's  sake, 

The  law  thy  justice  gave. 

So,  round  thy  pomp,  a  subject  train, 

Shall  nations  gather  nigh  : 
Then,  spread  so  far  thy  conquering  reign, 

And  rear  thy  throne  on  high. 


PSALM     VII.  23 

The  Lord  shall  judge  when  realms  appeal : 

Oh,  judge  and  own  my  cause  ; 
As  thou  hast  known  mine  upright  zeal, 

As  I  have  lov'd  thy  laws. 

Oh,  end  the  sinner's  guilty  might, 

And  let  the  righteous  rise, 
Thou  righteous  God,  whose  glance  of  light 

The  secret  spirit  tries. 

The  God  of  strength  my  shield  extends, 

The  Saviour  of  the  pure  ; 
Whose  just  right  arm  the  just  defends, 

Whose  wrath  is  daily  sure. 

He  steels  his  sword,  he  bends  his  bow, 

If  pride  disdain  to  turn : 
He  lifts  the  arms  of  deadly  blow, 

And  forms  the  shafts  to  burn. 

Lo,  deep  within,  each  treach'rous  breast 

With  guilt  and  ruin  teems  : 
There,  falsehood  finds  her  chosen  nest, 

And  bears  deceitful  dreams. 

They  fram'd  the  pit,  and  spread  the  toils  ; 

And  there  their  pride  shall  bow  : 
On  guilt  the  guilty  blow  recoils, 

And  breaks  the  stubborn  brow. 

But  I  the  righteous  Lord  will  sing, 

And  all  his  truth  adore  : 
To  thee,  my  soul's  Almighty  King, 

To  thee  my  song  shall  soar. 

NOTES. — "  A  Lamentation  of  David,  which  he  sang  unto  the 
Lord,  on  the  occasion  of  the  words  of  Cush  the  Benjamite."  The 
person  thus  mentioned,  and  his  accusations  or  reproaches,  are  lost  in 
oblivion;  a  circumstance  which  adds  credibility  to  this  title,  as  it 
proves  that  the  idea  could  not  have  been  borrowed,  in  later  times, 
from  the  historical  books  of  the  Old  Testament. 


21  PSALM     VIII. 

And  forms  the  shafts  to  hum.  There  may  be  an  allusion  to  the 
custom  ofwrapping  the  arrows  in  some  combustible  material,  which 
was  set  on  fire  immediately  before  they  were  discharged.  Such  are 
mentioned  by  Livy.  (Lib.  .wxi.  s.)  Ammianns  Marcellinus  de- 
scribes a  similar  kind  :  (Rer.  Gest  Lib.  xxiii.  4.)  "they  consisted  of 
a  hollow  reed,  to  the  lower  part  of  which,  under  the  point  or  barb, 
was  fastened  B  round  receptacle  made  of  iron,  so  that  the  arrow  had 
the  form  of  a  distaff.  The  reed  was  filled  with  naphtha;  and  when 
the  arrow  was  shot  from  a  slack  bow  (tor  if  it  were  discharged  from  a 
tight  bow,  the  fire  went  out,)  it  struck  the  ranks  of  the  enemies,  and 
remained  infixed,  the  flame  consuming  whatever  it  met:  water 
poured  on  it  increased  its  violence;  :  there  was  no  other  means  to  ex- 
tinguish it.  except  by  throwing  earth  upon  it.''  St.  Paul  speaks, 
(Eph.  vi.  16.)  of  "  the  fiery  darts  of  the  wicked  ;"  where,  however, 
poisoned  arrows  may  be  the  subject  of  the  allusion. 

They  frairid  the  pit,  and  spread  the  toils.  The  figure  is  borrowed 
from  the  pits  which  were  dug  for  the  purpose  of  taking  wolves  or 
other  wild  animals. 

On  guilt  the  guilty  Now  recoils.  It  descends,  like  a  javelin  or  a 
stone  thrown  up  from  the  foot  of  a  wall  or  rock,  but  falling  back 
upon  the  head  of  him  who  hurled  it. 


PSALM   VIII. 


Lord  our  Lord,  bow  great  art  thou  ! 
Heav'n  and  earth  to  bless  thee  bow  : 
Thou  who  writ'st  thy  praise  on  high, 
Glorious  on  the  spreading  sky  ! 

Yet,  the  babe's  and  suckling's  sonc: 

mi  i  • 

Thou  hast  fill'd  with  strength  so  strong, 
That  the  raging  foe  shall  quail, 
That  th'  avenger's  arm  shall  Tail. 

When  I  see  thy  hcav'nly  arch, 
Moon  and  stars  in  radiant  march, 
Where  thy  hand  th<  IT  station  plac'd; 
Where  their  path  thy  fingers  trae'd  ; 

What  has  man,  O  Lord  of  all, 
That  thine  eye  so  low  should  fall  ? 

Thou  his  honoured  crown  hast  inVn 
Just  beneath  the  crowns  of  heav'n  : 


PSALM     IX.  25 

Thou  hast  taught  thy  works  below 
Him  their  sov'reign  chief  to  know  : 
Flocks  and  herds,  a  countless  train  ; 
All  that  roams  the  fruitful  plain ; 

All  that  cleaves  th'  ethereal  blue ; 
All  that  glides  the  dark  waves  through  : 
Lord  our  Lord,  how  great  art  thou  ! 
Heav'n  and  earth  to  bless  thee  bow  ! 

NOTES. — "For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David,  upon  the 
harp  of  Gath."  The  Gittith  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  musical  in- 
strument, deriving  its  name  from  the  city  of  Gath  or  Gath-Rimmon. 
It  is  thus  rendered  in  the  Chaldee  Paraphrase. 

Thou  hast  JilVd  with  strength  so  strong.  This  passage  is  cited  by 
our  Lord  (Matt.  xxi.  16.)  from  the  Septuagint,  u  thou  hast  perfected 
praise." 

When  I  see  thy  heav'nly  arch.  What  amazing  confirmation  does 
the  sentiment  of  the  Psalmist  receive  from  those  disclosures  of 
modern  astronomy,  which  declare  the  distance  and  magnitude  of  the 
heavenly  bodies,  and  seem  to  shew  a  world  in  every  planet  and  star ! 

Just  beneath  the  croicns  ofhcatfn.  In  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews 
(ii.  6 — 9.)  this  passage  is  applied  to  illustrate  the  humiliation  and 
exaltation  of  our  Saviour.  There  is  nothing  in  the  Psalm,  which 
would  have  led  us,  aside  from  the  authority  of  the  New  Testament,  to 
suppose  any  reference  to  Christ ;  but  this  is  one  of  many  instances 
which  appear  to  evince  that,  in  the  Psalms  thus  applied  in  the  New 
Testament,  we  have  only  a  key  to  the  remainder.  The  idea  of  such 
a  secondary  and  higher  sense,  a  "  testimony  of  Jesus,"  which  "is  the 
spirit  of  prophecy,"  seems  not  only  most  subservient  to  devotion,  but 
most  agreeable  to  apostolic  interpretation.  In  this  instance,  the  two 
may  be  thus  connected;  "  if  human  nature  be  so  highly  exalted  by 
virtue  of  its  creation,  how  much  more  by  its  assumption  to  the 
divine !" 


PSALM  IX. 


O  Lord  most  high,  my  swelling  heart 
Shall  all  thy  praise  proclaim, 

The  story  of  thy  deeds  impart, 
And  triumph  in  thy  fame. 
3 


26  PSALM     IX. 

When  on  my  foes  thy  terrors  shine, 

They  foil  in  shameful  flight : 
For  judgment's  spotless  throne  is  thine, 

And  thou  maintain' st  the  right. 

And  thou  hast  quell'd  the  heathen's  rage, 

And  slain  the  impious  race  ; 
And  from  the  tale  of  age  to  age 

Hast  swept  th'  oppressor's  trace. 

Destruction's  mighty  task  is  fill'd, 
And  pompous  tow'rs  are  heaps : 

And,  mid  the  piles  that  none  shall  build, 
Their  lords'  lost  mem'ry  sleeps. 

But  firm  th'  eternal  throne  abides, 
The  righteous  Sov'reign  reigns  : 

The  realms  of  earth  his  sceptre  guides, 
And  judgment  just  sustains. 

The  Lord  shall  shield  the  heart  oppress'd, 
Shall  shield  when  perils  low'r  : 

Who  know  thy  name  on  thee  shall  rest. 
And  trust  thy  faithful  pow'r. 

Sing,  to  the  Lord  of  Sion  sing ; 

Tell  all  the  world  his  deeds  ; 
When  blood  and  wrong  his  vengeance  bring, 

The  humblest  cry  he  heeds. 

Have  mercy,  Lord,  and  mark  my  woe, 

The  sport  of  causeless  hate  : 
Thou  Lifter  of  the  poor  and  low 

From  death's  eternal  gate  ; 

That,  where  thy  thronging  people  meet, 

My  song  of  praise  may  swell, 
Till  thine  own  Sion's  queenly  street 

Of  thy  deliv'rance  tell. 


PSALM     X.  27 

Where  heathen  hands  have  spread  the  net, 

There  heathen  feet  have  trod  : 
They  mourn  the  snares  themselves  have  set, 

And  know  the  righteous  God. 

The  crowds  who  spurn  his  gentler  reign 

In  hell's  dark  realm  shall  lie  : 
Not  long  shall  weep  the  poor  in  vain, 

Nor  all  his  hope  shall  die. 

Arise,  O  Lord,  nor  in  thy  sight 

Let  heathen  pride  prevail : 
So  let  them  own  but  man's  their  might, 

And  man  how  brief  and  frail ! 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David,  on  the 
death  of  Labben."  Such  is  that  version  of  this  title,  which  has  been 
given  by  some  of  the  Rabbinical  writers.  The  Chaldee  Paraphrase 
supposes  Goliath  to  be  the  person,  on  whose  overthrow  the  Psalm 
was  composed.  Others  would  read,  "  on  the  death  of  his  son ;"  an 
interpretation  contradicted  by  the  intense  grief  of  David  for  Absalom. 
Other  commentators  understand  it  of  the  tune  to  which  the  Psalm 
was  to  be  sung  ;  and  others,  of  the  choir  of  virgins,  by  whom  it  was  to 
be  chanted.  Mr.  Street  would  render  it,  "  to  be  performed  by  vir- 
gins and  a  youth ;"  and  divides  it  accordingly.  The  Septuagint  says, 
"  on  the  secrets  of  the  Son."  It  is  impossible  to  determine  with 
much  confidence  the  real  meaning  of  the  superscription. 

Have  mercy,  Lord,  and  mark  my  woe.  This  Psalm  is  a  song  of 
high  thanksgiving  ;  but  the  poet  seems  here,  in  awaiting  the  comple- 
tion of  his  victory  over  all  the  enemies  of  God,  to  throw  himself  back 
for  a  moment,  in  imagination,  to  his  former  state  of  supplication  and 
need. 


PSALM   X. 


Why  stands  the  Lord  afar, 
And  hides  in  troublous  hour, 

And  sees  the  wicked's  haughty  war 
Th'  afflicted  seed  o'erpow'r  ? 

Oh,  let  their  own  dark  guile 
On  them  in  ruin  burst, 


2S  PSALM     X. 

Who,  vain  in  fortune's  fleeting  smile, 
Bless  whom  the  Lord  hath  curs'd. 

Pride  lights  the  wicked's  face, 

And  fires  his  reckless  eye  : 
Thine  arm  his  thoughts  disdain  to  trace  ; 

Thy  judgments  roll  so  high. 

His  prosp'rous  pathways  rise  ; 

He  flouts  the  warning  call : 
"My  foot  shall  ne'er  be  mov'd,"  he  cries, 

"NoriU  my  lot  befall." 

So,  on  his  lips  has  rung 

The  loud  blasphemer's  cry ; 
While,  couch'd  beneath  his  venom'd  tongue. 

Deceit  and  treach'ry  lie. 

By  the  still  village  path 

He  waits  his  guiltless  prey, 
Darts  the  keen  glance  of  serpent  wrath, 

And  longs  to  spring  and  slay. 

He  lurks  as  in  the  brake 

The  lion  hides  his  lair  : 
He  lurks,  the  passing  poor  to  take, 

To  take  in  secret  snare. 

Torn  falls  the  wretch,  and  bleeds 

Within  his  fang  and  fold  : 
Yet  cries  his  heart,  "  God  never  heeds  ; 

He  cares  not  to  behold." 

Remember,  Lord,  thy  poor, 

And  lift  th'  avenging  rod  : 
Why  should  the  wicked's  dream  endure, 

And  mock  the  glance  of  God  ? 

Thine  eyes  their  malice  see ; 
Thine  hand  must  all  repay  : 


PSALM     X.  29 

The  wretched  orphan  leans  on  thee, 
And  feels  a  heav'nly  stay. 

Oh,  break  th'  oppressor's  arm ; 

And  search,  till  search  be  vain  : 
Then  turns  thy  land  from  heathen  harm 

To  thine  eternal  reign. 

For  thou  the  humble  sigh 

O  Lord,  hast  deign' d  to  hear : 
Thou  giv'st  the  heart  its  contrite  cry, 

And  giv'st  thy  list'ning  ear ; 

To  judge  the  orphan's  right ; 

To  bid  th'  oppress'd  be  free ; 
That  never  more  from  earthly  might 

The  guiltless  poor  may  flee. 

NOTES. — The  Septuagintand  Vulgate  unite  the  ninth  and  tenth 
Psalms,  as  one  ;  and  some  have  imagined  that  they  formed  originally 
one  of  the  alphabetic  Psalms,  as  there  are  some  apparent  traces, 
although  often  interrupted,  of  an  alphabetic  arrangement  in  the  initial 
letters  of  the  verses.  This  .supposition,  however,  is  refuted  by  the 
different  character  of  the  two  Psalms ;  the  first  being,  in  its  general 
frame,  a  song  of  triumph,  the  second  a  prayer  for  deliverance. 

Hefiouts  the  learning  call.  This  seems  a  sufficiently  exact  transla- 
tion of  the  Hebrew.  Schrooder  renders  it,  "  effiat  tumido  ore 
in  eos."     Our  translation  has  it,  "  he  puffeth  at  them." 

So  midst  his  speech  has  rung.  This  verse  is  a  part  of  the  descrip- 
tion of  mankind  in  the  third  chapter  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Romans, 
(v.  14.) 

While,  couch'd  beneath  his  venoin'd  tongue.  The  image  may  be 
borrowed  from  the  poison  of  serpents. 

He  lurks,  as  in  the  brake.  In  the  original  the  same  repetition  is 
found,  which  will  be  here  observed  in  the  version. 

Torn  falls  the  wretch,  and  bleeds.  I  have  here  adopted  the  transla- 
tion of  Rosenmueller  and  De  Wette. 

TJiy  hand  must  all  repay.  The  literal  version  is,  "  to  give  into  thy 
hand."  A  reference  has  been  supposed,  to  the  practice  of  writing  on 
the  palm  of  the  hand,  in  order  to  preserve  a  thing  in  remembrance. 
So  Isaiah  (xlix.  16.) 

"  Behold,  I  have  graven  thee  upon  the  palms  of  my  hands, 
Thy  walls  are  continually  before  me." 

So  turns  thy  land  from  lieatlien  harm.     Merrick  has  given  the  con- 
clusion of  this  Psalm  in  his  happiest  manner. 
3* 


30  PSALM     XI. 

u  Thine  is  the  throne  :  beneath  thy  reign, 
Immortal  King!  the  tribes  profane 
Behold  their  dreams  of  conquest  o'er, 
And  vanish,  to  be  seen  no  more. 
Thou.  Lord,  thy  people's  wish  canst  read, 
Ere  from  their  lips  the  pray *r  proceed ; 
Tig  thine  their  drooping  hearts  to  rear, 
Bow  to  their  wants  tlT  attentive  ear. 

The  weeping  orphan's  cheek  to  dry, 

The  guiltless  suff'rer's  cause  to  try, 

To  rein  each  earth-horn  tyrant's  will, 
And  hid  the  sons  of  pride  "be  still." 


PSALM   XL 

On  the  Lord  my  soul  depending 
Smiles  to  hear  the  taunting  cry, 

11  To  thy  sheltering  hills  ascending, 
Tim'rous  bird,  make  haste  and  fly  !" 

"  Lo,  the  wicked  culls  his  quiver, 
Bends  his  bow,  and  points  his  dart ; 

From  the  haunts  where  none  deliver, 
Aiming  at  the  upright  heart." 

"  When  the  ancient  pillars  tremble, 
Where  shall  still  the  righteous  cling?" 

Where  the  saints  of  God  assemble 
Tow'rds  their  everlasting  King  ! 

Far  o'er  earth  his  eyes  are  wand'ring, 
Through  and  through  the  mortal  crowd  ; 

E'en  the  righteous  keenly  pond'nng, 
Lowering  judgment  on  the  proud. 

Him  who  tears  sweet  peace  in  sunder, 
Him  the  Lord  shall  count  his  foe : 

Tempests  ] tot  with  flames  and  thunder 
Hasten  to  his  wild  <>Vrt hrow. 

Sucl)  the  cup  that  vengeance  mingles, 
When  our  Cod  declares  the  doom  ; 


PSALM     XII.  31 

While  the  just  his  justice  singles, 
Smiling  on  their  dreariest  gloom. 

NOTES.— "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David."  It  had 
its  origin,  probably,  like  the  three  succeeding  Psalms,  in  the  times 
when  lie  fled  from  the  persecutions  of  Saul. 

To  thy  sheWring  hills  ascending.  The  smaller  birds,  hunted  by 
man  upon  the  plains,  or  pursued  in  the  open  air  by  the  larger  and 
more  rapacious,  take  refuge  in  the  thickets  of  the  mountains. 

Tempests  hot  icitli  flames  and  thunder.  There  may  be  an  allu- 
sion to  the  fiery  Simoom,  before  which  whole  caravans  are  swept 
down,  and  buried  in  the  sands.     Bishop  Lowth  translates  this  verse  ; 

"  Defluet  super  impios  prunas  ardentes, 
Ignem  et  sulphur,  et  ventuin  urentem:  hoc  iis  poculum  exhaurien- 
duiii  est." 

He  shall  rain  upon  them  flaming  coals, 
Fire,  and  brimstone,  and  a  burning  wind: 
This  is  the  cup  which  they  must  drink. 
Such  the   cup  that  vengeance   mingles.      This  common  figure  is 
thought  to  be  taken  from  the  ancient  custom  that  the  head  of  the  fam- 
ily should  pour  a  cup  for  each  of  the  household  separately,  filling  it  at 
his  own  pleasure. 


PSALM  XII. 


Save,  save,  O  Lord  !  on  earthly  ground 

The  good,  the  faithful  fail : 
Friend  whispers  friend,  but  false  the  sound, 

And  vile  the  treach'rous  tale. 

With  flatt'ring  tongues  their  tale  the}'  tell, 

With  hearts  of  smiling  guile ; 
The  Lord  the  flatt'ring  tongues  shall  quell, 

And  change  th'  ensnaring  smile  : 

Though  loud  they  lift  their  swelling  tone, 

"  Our  words  shall  mighty  be  : 
Our  unchain9 d  lips  are  all  our  own  : 

Who  rules  the  spirit  free  ?" 

Thus  speaks  our  God,  "I  hear  the  cries 
Of  hearts  oppressed  and  poor ; 


32  PSALM    XIII. 

Against  the  mocker  I  will  rise, 
And  fix  their  home  secure." 

Words  of  the  Lord,  pure  words  and  fast ! 

So  through  the  furnace  glide 
The  forms,  in  molten  splendor  cast,- 

Of  silver  sev'n  times  tried. 

Thou,  Lord,  the  impious  bands  shalt  chase 

Who  boldly  spread  them  round, 
In  days  of  gloom,  when,  high  in  place, 

The  shame  of  men  are  crown'd. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David,  upon  the 
eight-stringed  harp." 

Of  silver  sev'n  times  tried.  The  number  seven  is  well' known  to 
be  proverbial  for  many.  Nebuchadnezzar  gave  command  "  that 
they  should  heat  the  furnace  one  seven  times  more  than  it  was  wont 
to  be  heated."     (Dan.  hi.  19.) 


PSALM   XIII. 


How  long,  O  Lord,  wrilt  thou  forget?  forever? 

How  long  the  brightness  of  thy  face  o'ershroud? 
How  long  shall  throbbing  cares  my  bosom  sever  ? 

How  long  my  foes  on  vict'ry's  height  be  proud  ? 

Mark,  Lord  my  God,  and  hear  my  deep  com- 
plaining : 
Lighten  mine  eye,  lest  soon  in  death  it  close  ; 
Lest,    their  weak  victim's  prostrate   might   dis- 
daining, 
Shout  in  triumphant  joy  my  godless  foes. 

But  all  my  trust  hath  on  thy  goodness  rested  ; 

In  thy  salvation  I  shall  shout  ere  long : 
Because  the  Lord  my  path  with  love  invested, 

Yet  shall  I  lift  to  him  my  grateful  song. 


PSALM     XIV.  33 

NOTES.—"  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David." 

Lighten  mine  eye.     In  prosperity  and  joy,  all  things  appear,  even 

to  the  outward  eye,  as  if  irradiated  with  light;  and  darkness  and  sorrow 

are  united  in  all  our  thoughts. 


PSALM   XIV. 


The  fool  saith  in  his  heart, 

"  There  is  no  God  to  view :" 
They  wind  their  ways  with  loathsome  art, 

And  no  man's  deeds  are  true. 

From  heav'n  look'd  down  the  Lord, 

O'er  all  th'  unnumber'd  race, 
If  any  lov'd  his  wisdom's  word, 

Or  sought  his  faithful  grace. 

All,  all  are  turn'd  away, 

To  common  ruin  run  : 
Where'er  may  fall  his  eye's  keen  raj', 

None  doeth  good,  not  one. 

And  know  they  naught,  nor  heed, 
Whose  hands  with  crime  are  red, 

Whose  pray'rless  wants  my  flock  must  feed, 
As  feeds  their  common  bread  ? 

Fearful  shall  be  their  fear, 

For  God  surrounds  the  just : 
Who  hopes  in  him  your  taunts  may  hear, 

And  triumph  in  his  trust. 

Oh,  were  salvation  come 

From  Sion's  holy  King  ! 
What  joy  shall  light  the  exile's  home, 

When  God  his  own  shall  bring  ! 

NOTES.— "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David."  The 
last  verse,  however,  seems  to  disprove  the  correctness  of  the  super- 
scription, and  to  fix  a  later  date,  at  a  period  during  the  misfortunes 


34  PSALM     XV. 

and  captivity  of  the  nation.  It  is  possible,  however,  that  some  writer 
at  that  time  might  have  added  that  verse  to  a  Psalm  of  David,  which 
had  before  closed  in  a  different  maimer.  Win  some  little  variations, 
the  fifty-third  Psalm  is  a  copy  of  the  fourteenth. 

The  fool  saitli  in  his  heart*  In  the  language  of  the  Scriptures 
iniquity  and  folly  are  one.  Such  is  the  eternal  law,  by  which  the 
true,  the  beautiful  and  the  good  can  never  be  separated. 

All,  all  arc  turnd  away.  This  passage  is  cited  by  St.  Paul, 
(Rom.  iii.  11, 12.)  as  descriptive  of  the  condition  of  our  whole,  fallen 
race.  In  some  copies  of  the  Septuagint,  in  the  Vulgate,  the  Ethiopic, 
the  Arabic,  and  in  one  or  two  Hebrew  manuscripts,  it  is  followed 
here  by  die  six  verses,  which  follow  it  in  the  Epistle  to  the  Romans; 
and  these  are  also  found  in  the  English  Psalter.  But  they  were  ob- 
viously drawn  by  the  apostle  from  other  places;  and  were  probably 
added  to  this  Psalm  by  Christian  transcribers. 

Fearful  shall  be  their  fear.  The  repetition  in  the  original  is  here 
imitated. 


PSALM   XV. 


Lord,  who  in  thy  bless'd  courts  shall  dwell  ? 

Who  on  thy  holy  hill  shall  rest  ? 
Who  upright  walks  ;  who  labours  well ; 

Who  speaks  the  truth  with  honest  breast ; 

Who  bears  no  tale  of  sland'rous  guile  ; 

Who  frames  no  ill,  nor  loves  to  hear  ; 
In  whose  just  eyes  the  vile  are  vile, 

And  thine  own  saints  are  pure  and  dear ; 

Who  keeps  the  oath  that  brings  him  harm, 
Nor  swells  with  cruel  gains  his  store, 

Nor  lifts,  for  gold,  the  law's  high  arm  : 
Who  thus  doth  stand  shall  fall  no  more. 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  David."  It  is  a  general  opinion  that  this 
Psalm  \\a>  composed  and  rone  on  the  occasion  of  the  transportation 
of  the  ark  from  the  bouse  of  Obed-Edom  to  Mount  Sion    This  is 

extremely  probable  ;   but  no  such  supposition  OUght  to  be  adopted  as 

a  certainty,  on  which  the  interpreter  may  build  with  entire  eonndenoe. 

II ho  on  thy  holy  hill,  shall  n  si  f  The  tabernacle  was  on  Mount 
Sion;  and  the  temple,  afterwards,  on  Mount  Moriah.  From  the 
thought  of  these  holy  hills  of  the  Lord,  the  minds  of  his  worshippers 
rise  naturally  towards  his  throne  in  the  heaven  of  heavens. 


PSALM     XVI.  0-3 


PSALM   XVI. 


Keep  me,  O  God  !  to  thee  I  fly  ; 

To  thee  my  soul  would  vow  : 
Thou  art,  O  Lord,  my  Lord  most  High ; 

My  bliss  is  naught  but  thou. 

Thy  saints  on  earth,  th'  exalted  few, 

With  them  my  joy  is  found  : 
On  all  who  other  paths  pursue 

Shall  thorny  griefs  abound. 

I  will  not  pour  the  blood  they  bear, 
Where  thy  pure  altar  flames  : 

I  will  not  stain  my  lip  in  pray'r 
With  their  polluted  names. 

The  Lord  my  gracious  portion  lends, 
And  makes  my  cup  o'erflow ; 

And  thy  strong  pow'r  the  lot  defends, 
Which  thy  kind  gifts  bestow. 

My  lines  are  falPn  mid  all  delight, 

A  region  large  and  fair  : 
Therefore  I  muse  through  wakeful  night, 

And  praise  the  Lord's  dear  care. 

I  deem  the  Lord  before  me  still, 

At  my  right  hand,  to  aid  ; 
And  joys  my  heart,  unmov'd  by  ill, 

And  triumphs,  undismay'd. 

My  flesh  shall  rest  in  silent  hope, 

For  thou  my  soul  shalt  free, 
Thine  holy  one's  dark  chamber  ope, 

And  bid  corruption  flee  ; 

And  on  the  path  of  life  shalt  guide, 
And  to  thy  presence  bring, 


3G  PSALM     XVII. 

"Whore  gladhess  pours  its  swelling  tide, 
And  ceaseless  pleasures  spring. 

NOTES.— "A  Writing  of  David."  The  testimony  of  St.  Peter 
(Acts  ii.  85 — 90.)  and  St.  Paid  (Acts  xiii.  'X> — 37.)  determines  the 
purely  prophetic  and  Mosianie.  meaning  of  this  Psalm. 

To  tkti unj  soul  would  row.  There  is,  in  the  original,  too  great 
an  abruptness  in  the  change  of  address,  to  he  easily  transferred  into 
English  verse. 

My  Miss  is  naught  but  thou.  This  is  the  version  of  Symmachns 
and  of  the  Ohoidee  Paraphrase,  and  is  generally  approved  hy  the 
best  among  the  modern  commentators. 

Twill  not  pour  the  blood  thnj  h<<ir.  The  Saviour,  as  the  only 
high-priest,  declares  that  he  will  not  offer  the  drink-offerings  of  the 
wicked  ;  which  are  viewed  by  the  Almighty  with  the  same  detestation 
as  if  they  were  composed  of  the  blood  which  their  hands  have  shed, 
or  that  which  the  heathen  sometimes  mingled  with  wine  in  their 
sacrifices. 

My  lines  are  falVn  mid  all  delight.  Measuring-lines  were  used  in 
the  division  of  lands.     So  Amos  (vii.  17.) 

"  Thy  land  shall  he  divided  by  line." 

My  flesh  shall  rest  in  silent  hope.  This  and  the  following  verse, 
whether  interpreted,  in  the  primary  sense,  of  the  hope  of  David,  or 
applied  exclusively  to  the  Redeemer,  are  ample  evidence,  unless  the 
authority  of  the  apostles  be  rejected,  that  both  the  immortality  of  the 
soul,  and  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  were  known  to  the  ancient 
Hebrews. 


PSALM   XVII. 


O  righteous  Lord,  hear  thou  the  right, 
And  mark  my  pray'r's  imploring  cry  : 

From  no  false  lips  it  takes  its  flight ; 

Then  bow  thine  ear,  and  hear  on  high. 

Send  forth  my  upright  doom  from  thee  ; 

And  shield  the  truth  from  tyrant  pow'rs  : 
Thine  eyes  my  heart's  deep  motions  see, 

See  e'en  in  midnight's  loneliest  hours. 

There,  thou  hast  found  no  vain  deceit : 
I  bade  my  mouth  from  guile  recoil ; 


PSALM     XVII.  37 

And  through  thy  word  I  kept  my  feet 

From  man's  dark  paths  of  crime  and  spoil. 

Oh,  hold  me  in  thy  sacred  ways, 

Lest  these  weak  footsteps  slide  and  fall : 

Thou  answ'ring  God,  my  voice  I  raise  ; 
Incline  thine  ear,  and  hear  my  call. 

Shew  far  abroad  thy  wondrous  grace, 

Thou,  whose  right  hand  is  strong  to  bear 

Through  hostile  hosts  the  chosen  race, 
Who  own  thy  right,  and  trust  thy  care. 

Guard,  as  the  tender  eye  we  guard  ; 

Hide,  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wing  ; 
From  foul  oppressors,  bold  and  hard, 

Who  gird  me  close,  in  deadly  ring. 

With  lux'ry  swell' d,  proud  things  they  say  ; 

My  guiltless  steps  they  compass  round  ; 
As  lurking  lions,  hot  for  prey, 

They  watch,  to  tear  me  to  the  ground. 

Rise,  mighty  Lord,  their  pride  to  quell ; 

And  let  thy  sword  my  safety  ope  : 
Let  thy  right  hand  the  ranks  repel, 

Who  seek  on  earth  their  loftiest  hope  ; 

Whose  whole  brief  portion  here  is  stor'd  ; 

Whose  veins  o'erflow  with  prosp'rous  health  ; 
Whose  offspring  gay  surround  their  board, 

And  share,  at  last,  their  fleeting  wealth. 

Far  other,  better  wealth  be  mine, 

Thy  face  in  holy  worlds  to  see  ; 
Contented  with  that  joy  divine, 

When  I  shall  wake,  and  be  like  thee. 

NOTES.—"  A  prayer  of  David." 

Guard,  as  the  tender  eye  we  guard.     The  apple  of  the  eye  is  pro- 
verbial in  Hebrew,  for  an  object  defended  or  watched  with  the  most 
prompt  and  minute  attention.    Thus,  (Deut.  xxxii.  10.) 
4 


33  PSALM     XVIII. 

"  lie  led  him  about,  he  instructed  him, 
He  kept  him  as  the  apple  of  hi- 1 
And,  (Prov.  vii.  2.) 

"  Keep  my  commandments,  and  live  ; 
And  my  law.  as  the  apple  ofthine  eye." 
Hide,  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wing.     Merrick  has  here  adopted  the 
words  of  Bishop  Ken; 

"  And  keep,  oh  keep  me,  King  of  Kings, 
Under  thine  own  almighty  wings/' 
Far  other,  better  wealth  be  mine  I  have  not  hesitated  to  express 
what  seemed  to  me,  beyond  all  question,  the  expectation  of  the 
Psalmist;  that  he  should  awake  in  a  world  of  heavenly  joy.  The 
paraphrase  of  this  passage  by  Dr.  Watts,  is  the  finest  portion,  except 
one,  of  all  his  Psalms. 

"  What  sinners  value,  I  resign ; 
Lord,  'tis  enough  that  thon  art  mine  ; 
I  shall  behold  thy  blissful  face, 
And  stand  complete  in  righteousness. 

This  life's  a  dream,  an  empty  show ; 
But  the  bright  world,  to  which  I  go, 
Hath  joys  substantial  and  sincere  ; 
When  shall  I  wake,  and  find  me  there  ? 

0  glorious  hour,  O  blest  abode  ! 

1  shall  he  near  and  like  my  God  ; 
And  flesh  and  sin  no  more  control 
The  sacred  pleasure  of  my  soul. 

My  flesh  shall  slumber  in  the  ground, 
Till  the  last  trumpet's  joyful  sound  : 
Then  burst  the  chains  with  sweet  surprise, 
And  in  my  Saviour's  image  rise." 


PSALM   XVIII. 

I  will  love  thee,  Lord  my  might; 
Lord,  my  rock  and  castled  height; 
Thee,  my  God  and  rescuing  auide, 
Thee,  the  hold  where  safe  I  hide, 
Thee,  my  shield  and  sheltering  pow'r, 
Thee,  my  hope's  embattled  tow'r. 
GloriousLonl,  to  thee  I  cry, 
And  my  foes  before  thee  ily. 


PSALM     XVIII.  39 

Snares  of  death  beset  my  road  ; 
Waves  of  ruin  howling  flow'd  : 
Snares  of  hell  were  thick  around  ; 
Death's  dark  nets  bestrew'd  the  ground  : 
To  the  Lord,  from  thronging  woes, 
To  my  God  my  cry  arose  ; 
From  his  temple  heard  he  all, 
And  his  ear  receiv'd  my  call. 

Then  the  broad  earth  roll'd  and  reel'd, 
And  the  trembling  mountains  peal'd  ; 
Swell' d  from  far  his  fury's  smoke  ; 
Forth  the  vengeful  flashes  broke  ; 
Kindling  coals  of  wasting  wrath 
All  along  his  downward  path  ; 
While  the  low'ring  heav'ns  he  bow'd, 
Trampling  on  the  thick,  dark  cloud. 

On  the  cherub's  wing  he  pass'd, 
On  the  pinions  of  the  blast : 
Darkness  deep  around  him  went ; 
Clouds  and  waters  were  his  tent : 
Rush'd  the  storm  before  his  light, 
Hail,  and  coals  of  fiery  flight : 
Broke  from  heav'n  his  thund'ring  ire, 
Hail,  and  coals  whose  flight  was  fire. 

From  his  shafts  the  guilty  fled, 
From  his  lightnings  hid  their  head  : 
Bare  the  waves'  deep  channels  lay  ; 
Earth's  foundations  rose  to  day  ; 
At  thy  breath,  Almighty  Lord, 
At  thy  wrath's  rebuking  word : 
Then,  mid  many  waters'  roar, 
He,  from  heav'n,  my  head  upbore. 

Many  were  my  foes,  and  strong ; 
But  the  Lord  repell'd  their  wrong: 
Round  they  clos'din  trouble's  day; 
But  the  Lord  was  still  my  stay. 


40  PSALM     XVIII. 

From  their  snares  he  brought  me  clear, 
For  he  lov'd  my  heart  sincere  ; 
And,  because  my  hands  were  clean, 
Rich  the  Lord's  reward  hath  been. 

For  I  kept  his  righteous  way  ; 
From  my  God  I  dar'd  not  stray ; 
Ever  looking  on  his  will ; 
Clinging  to  his  statutes  still ; 
Upright  in  his  sight  I  stood, 
And  my  tempting  sin  subdued  : 
Thus,  because  my  hands  were  clean, 
Rich  the  Lord's  reward  hath  been. 

Good  to  bless  the  good  art  thou  ; 
Upright  tow'rds  the  upright  brow  ; 
Pure  amidst  the  pure  of  heart ; 
Subtly  thwarting  subtle  art : 
Thou  wilt  save  the  mourning  race, 
And  the  eye  of  pride  abase  : 
Thou  ilium' st  my  candle  bright ; 
God  shall  make  my  darkness  light. 

I,  by  thee,  an  host  assail'd, 
By  my  God  a  rampart  scal'd  ! 
God  in  perfect  paths  shall  guide  ; 
For  his  word  is  pure  and  tried  : 
He  his  shelt'ring  shield  extends 
Strong  around  his  trusting  friends  : 
Who,  save  him,  is  Lord  divine  ? 
Who  a  God  and  Rock,  but  mine  ? 

Girds  me  he  to  stand,  and  speed, 
Where  his  path  of  love  shall  lead, 
O'er  the  hifls,  as  sure  and  fleet, 
As  the  hind's  impatient  feet. 
Teaches  he  my  arm  to  wield 
Brazen  bow  and  saving  shield  ; 
And,  upheld  by  might  from  thee, 
Feeble  stops  were  firm  and  free* 


PSALM    XVIII.  41 

Girt  by  thee,  I  well  pursued  ; 
Smote,  and  conquer'd,  and  subdued. 
Fell  to  earth  the  rebel  foe, 
And  the  neck  of  pride  was  low  : 
Loud  for  aid  in  vain  they  cried  ; 
To  the  Lord,  and  none  replied  : 
While,  as  dust,  their  strength  I  beat, 
Dust  that  strews  the  windy  street. 

Thou  hast  quell' d  the  hosts  that  warr'd  ; 
Thou  hast  made  me  king  and  lord  : 
Unknown  realms  my  name  obey, 
Strangers  bow  beneath  my  sway  ; 
Strangers,  trembling  at  my  pow'rs, 
Hide  within  their  fastness  tow'rs. 
Lives  the  Lord,  my  Rock  above, 
Bless'd  be  my  Deliverer's  love  ! 

God  the  righteous  doom  has  sent ; 
Mighty  nations  low  have  bent : 
O'er  my  foes  my  throne  he  rais'd  : 
Therefore  shall  the  Lord  be  prais'd  ! 
Mid  the  Gentiles  I  will  sing 
Him  who  saves  his  chosen  king, 
His  anointed  crowns  with  grace, 
David  and  his  endless  race. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  from  the  servant  of  the  Lord, 
from  David,  who  spake  to  the  Lord  the  words  of  this  song,  in  the  day 
when  the  Lord  had  delivered  him  from  the  hand  of  all  his  enemies, 
and  from  the  hand  of  Saul.  And  he  said."  This  inscription  is  also 
found,  except  the  first  direction  to  the  master  of  the  music,  in  the 
second  Book  of  Samuel  (xxii.  1.)  where  the  Psalm  itself,  with  some 
variations,  is  likewise  inserted.  It  is  a  triumphal  strain,  apparently 
composed  by  the  king  towards  the  end  of  his  reign  and  of  his  life,  in 
the  fulness  of  his  fervent  gratitude. 

Snares  of  death  beset  my  road.  It  hardly  needs  to  be  said,  that  this 
and  the  following  verses,  with  their  splendour  of  imagery,  are  de- 
scriptive only  of  extreme  distress  and  divine  deliverance,  without  any 
design  to  represent  the  circumstances  of  either.  The  poet  here  be- 
holds himself  in  the  midst  of  deadly  perils,  and  ready  to  sink  into  the 
dark  dominion  of  the  grave. 


42 


PSALM     XVIII. 


From  his  temple  heard  he  all. 

"  Coeli  tonitralia  templa." 

u  The  thund'ring  temple  of  the  sky."     Lucret.  Lib.  i. 

TJicn  the  broad  earth  rolVd  and  rccVd.  The  original  has  a  similar 
alliteration. 

WkSk  the  loic'ring  hcatfns  he  hoic'd.  When  the  tempest  approach- 
es, the  clouds  seem  to  stoop  toward  the  earth,  and  the  sky  itself  to 
descend. 

"  Ruit  arduus  aether." 

The  lofty  heav'n  comes  down. 

This  is  the  passage  so  nobly  versified  by  Sternhold. 
"The  Lord  descended  from  above,  and  bowed  the  heavens  high; 
And  underneath  his  feet  he  cast  the  darkness  of  the  sky. 
On  cherubs  and  on  cherubim  full  royally  he  rode, 
And  on  the  wings  of  all  the  winds  came  flying  all  abroad." 

Rush'd  tlte  storm  before  his  light.  The  presence  of  the  Lord  him- 
self is  represented  as  full  of  light  and  glory  ;  while  the  dark  tempest 
of  his  anger  sweeps  on,  before  him  and  around  him. 

Hail,  and  coals  ichose  flight  was  fire.  Houbigant,  Kennicott  and 
Bishop  Lowth  doubt  the  genuineness *bf  this  repetition,  "  hailstones 
and  coals  of  fire  ;"  as  not  found  in  the  parallel  place  in  Samuel,  nor 
in  the  Septuagint  or  the  old  Italic  version.  Bishop  Horsley  would 
rather  omit  the  words,  where  they  first  occur. 

TItou  illum'st  my  candle  bright.     A  favourite  figure  for  happiness. 

"  How  oft  is  the  candle  of  the  wicked  put  out !"     (Job  xxi.  17.) 

u  The  candle  of  the  wicked  shall  be  put  out."     (Prov.  xxiv.  20.) 

Girds  me  he  to  stand  and  speed.  The  husbandman  girded  himself 
with  a  belt  or  girdle  for  his  labour ;  the  soldier  for  battle  ;  and  the 
messenger  for  his  journey.  Swiftness  of  foot  was  anciently  esteemed 
one  of  the  chief  excellencies  of  a  hero  ;  and  Homer  ascribes  it  to 
Achilles.  The  Gadite  champions  are  said  (1  Chron.  xii.  8.)  to  have 
been  "  as  swift  as  the  roes  upon  the  mountains ;"  and  Asahel  (2  Sam. 
ii.  18.)  "  was  as  light  of  foot  as  a  wild  roe." 

Brazen  bow  and  saving  shield.  To  be  able  to  bend  a  bow  of  brass 
would  be  a  proof  of  the  highest  jmysical  force  Whether  bows 
were  ever  made  of  brass,  has  been  doubted;  but  ;i  brazen  sword  has 
been  found,  which  shews  that  the  ancients  had  a  mode  of  tempering 
brass  to  the  hardness  of  steel.  The  translation  which  is  here  given  is 
generally  preferred  to  that  which  speaks  ofbreaking  the  how.  Bishop 
Lowth,  however,  justifies  the  version,  "a  bow  of  steel." 

Mid  the  Gentiles  I  will  sing.  St.  Paul  has  cited  this  passage  (Horn. 
\\  !>.)  in  sneh  a  manner  that  the  Psalm  niu>t  he,  or  at  least  may  be, 
understood,  in  its  highest  sense,  of  the  victory  and  enthronement  of 
Christ. 


PSALM     XIX.  43 


PSALM   XIX. 


The  heav'ns  proclaim  thy  glory,  Lord  ; 
The  starry  skies  thy  skill  record  : 
And  day  to  day  the  anthem  swells, 
And  night  to  night  high  knowledge  tells. 

Naught  hides  the  word,  or  stays  the  strain ; 
Their  music  rings  o'er  land  and  main  : 
And  utmost  earth  has  heard  the  sound, 
And  unknown  nature's  utmost  bound. 

There,  set  on  high,  the  gorgeous  sun 
From  radiant  halls  exults  to  run ; 
A  bridegroom  from  his  nuptial  place, 
A  strong  man  girded  for  the  race. 

From  heav'n's  far  bound  his  journey  goes  ; 
At  heav'n's  far  bound  his  circuits  close  ; 
And  all  is  fair  beneath  his  ray, 
And  all  is  warm  with  life  and  day. 

The  Lord's  converting  law  is  pure  ; 
The  Lord's  enlight'ning  witness,  sure  ; 
The  Lord's  enliv'ning  precepts,  right ; 
The  Lord's  commandment,  radiant  light ; 

The  Lord's  clean  fear  is  endless  youth  ; 
The  Lord's  just  judgments,  spotless  truth  ; 
Far  richer  than  the  golden  ore, 
Far  sweeter  than  the  honey'd  store. 

Safe  with  such  guides,  thy  servant  treads ; 
And  large  rewards  their  path  outspreads  : 
But  who  can  count  what  steps  may  slide  ? 
Oh,  cleanse  the  sins  that  deepest  hide  ! 

But  chief  my  suppliant  soul  restrain 
From  bolder  crime's  presumptuous  reign  : 


44  PSALM     XIX. 

So,  upright  shall  \  walk  with  thee, 

So,  guilt's  dread  blight  forever Hoc. 

The  words  that  e'er  my  lips  may  part, 
The  thoughts  that  e'er  may  stir  my  heart, 
Let  none  thy  holy  presence  mock, 
Lord,  my  Redeemer  and  my  Rock ! 

NOTES.—"  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David."  It  cele- 
brates the  two  harmonious  sources  of  divine  knowledge  ;  the  works 
and  the  word  of  God. 

And  night  to  night  high  knowledge  tdls.  In  Hesiod's  Theogonia, 
night  and  day  are  represented  as  addressing  or  saluting  each  other. 

(OQi  vw|  re  koLi  r.fMgct  ctcrj-ov  }htm 

'AAP^Asfcf  7r£oreii7rov — V.    747. 

Where,  near  approaching,  mutual  converse  held 

The  night  and  day. 

Naught  hides  the  word,  or  stays  (lie  strain.  I  have  adopted  the 
idea  of  Venema  and  I)e  Wette  ;  "  theirs  is  not  a  speech  or  language, 
whose  voice  cannot  be  heard ;"  although  I  was  much  disposed  to 
choose  that  of  several  other  writers,  so  beautifully  expressed  in  the 
paraphrase  of  Addison ; 

"  What  though  no  real  voice  or  sound 
Amidst  their  radiant  orbs  be  found, 
In  reason's  ear  they  all  rejoice, 
And  utter  forth  a  glorious  voice." 

The  apostle  Paul  (Rom.  x.  18.)  applies  the  language  of  this  verse 
to  the  propagation  of  the  truth,  through  the  messengers  of  Christ. 

A  bridegroom  from  liis  nuptud  place.  For,  the  sun  is  welcomed 
by  all  living  things,  as  the  bridegroom  was  greeted  by  his  friends, 
when  he  came  forth,  clothed  in  splendid  garments,  and  ready  to  enter 
on  the  festivities  that  followed  the  nuptials. 

Tlie  Lord's  converting  law  is  pure.  It  is  as  if  the  poet  had  said, 
"not  less  is  the  glory  of  God  revealed  in  his  holy  commandments." 
The  transition  is  justified  by  this  resemblance. 

The  Lord's  clean  Jar  is  endless  youth.  He  that  feareth  the  Lord 
endnreth  fore^i  er. 

But  who  ran  conn!   what  strps  may  slide  ?      Bishop    Bull   adopted 

these  words,  in  bis  last  sickness,  at  the  conclusion  of  a  most  solemn 
review  of  his  life, 


PSALM     XX.  45 


PSALM   XX. 

God  hear  thee  in  thy  day  of  grief, 

And  Jacob's  God  defend  ; 
Send  from  his  holy  place  relief, 

Support  from  Sion  send  ; 

Remember  how  to  him  aspire 
Thine  off' rings  and  thy  pray'rs  ; 

Grant  thee  thy  heart's  most  bold  desire, 
And  answer  to  thy  cares. 

In  thy  salvation's  promis'd  gift 

E'en  now  we  dare  rejoice  : 
Our  banners  in  God's  name  we  lift ; 

God  answer  to  thy  voice ! 

Now  know  I  that  the  Lord  will  fight 

For  his  Anointed' s  band, 
Hear  from  his  heav'n's  most  holy  height, 

And  stretch  his  strong  right  hand. 

Some  trust  their  chariots'  wedg'd  array, 

And  some  their  warlike  steeds  ; 
The  Lord's  great  name  is  all  our  stay, 

And  God  our  vict'ry  leads. 

Chariot  and  steed,  o'erthrown  they  fall ; 

We  stand,  and  upward  rise  : 
Save,  Lord,  and  hear  us  when  we  call, 

King  of  the  earth  and  skies  ! 

NOTES. — "For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David."  It  seems 
to  have  been  prepared  to  be  sung  by  the  assembled  people,  when 
the  king  went  forth,  at  the  head  of  his  host,  to  war. 

And  answer  to  thy  cares.  They  desire  that  the  "counsel"  of  the 
monarch  might  be  "  fulfilled ;"  his  designs  crowned  with  perfect 
success. 

Our  banners  in  God's  name  we  lift.  The  Maccabees  are  said  to 
have  received  their  name  from  the  initial  letters  of  the  inscription  on 
their  banners,  which  in  the  Hebrew,  are  those  of  the  sentence,  (Exod. 
xv.  11.)  "  who  is  like  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  among  the  gods  ?" 


4G  PSALM     XXI. 


PSALM    XXL 

O  Lord,  in  thy  victorious  might 

Shall  joy  the  rescued  king  : 
Oh,  how  his  voice  of  loud  delight 

Shall  thy  salvation  sing ! 

His  heart's  desire,  his  lips'  request, 
Thy  love  would  naught  withhold  ; 

But  all  his  path  with  goodness  bless'd, 
And  crown' d  his  brow  with  gold. 

He  ask'd  for  life  :  that  love  bestow'd 

Eternal  length  of  days  ; 
And  thy  salvation  spread  his  road 

To  kingly  state  and  praise. 

Blessing  and  bless'd,  while  ages  fly, 

He  sees  thy  beaming  face  : 
He  cannot  fall,  O  Lord  most  high, 

Who  gloried  in  thy  grace. 

Thy  strong  right  hand  shall  reach  thy  foes  ; 

And  thy  devouring  ire 
Shall  wrap  them  round,  as  whirls  and  glows 

The  raging  furnace  fire. 

Thy  blast  their  early  fruit  shall  chill, 

And  quench  their  wasted  seed  : 
Fortow'rds  thy  throne  their  pow'rless  will 

Had  aim'd  the  rebel  deed. 

So  shall  their  shoulder  turn  in  flight, 
When  thou  shalt  draw  the  string  : 

Arise,  O  Lord,  in  thine  own  might, 
And  we  thy  might  shall  sing  ! 

NOTES.— "  For  the  chief  musician,  I   Psalm  of  David."     The 
people  rejoice  in  the  prosperity  of  their  victorious  and  happy  sove- 


PSALM     XIII. 

reicn.     Perhaps  this  Psalm  was  son*  on  son 
the  anniversary  of  tike  day  when  Davkl 

_-:  -:.  '.-.  .    '-.-.    '_-"  : :.-         i  .  - 

righriv.  however,  in  believing  that  it  1 

:..-.-  M   - 

Eitrwl  length  of  imp.     As  me  gift  evidently 
request,  and  the  request  was  for  length  of  fife,  "it  is  i 
■roid  Lrr-r  kie 

^U^  one**  Af  ir  vested  mi.     I 
vr-:rvrr  .-.:_     t-.-_.ty  ■_.-  ._:.j--.  ^-     :"  n .- 

So  shall  their  skomidtr  ten  im  tight.      Bifhop  Horsier  ; 
others  favour  the  following  tzan^anon  of  this  possL. 
make  them  a  bait."  or  target,  "for  due  arrowa."    The  Lord  is 
painted  as  a  mighty  and  sure  archer,  at  the  sight  of  i 


PSALM   XXII. 

My  G 

Why  k  Q  nie  unheard  to  groan  ? 

My  God,  all  day  in  vai 

N  ;  nighr  can  so 

Y     thou  art  holy ;  and  i 
Is  where  the  s 

; 

They  wi 

nn,  an  c 
The  scorn  of  men  whose  imy  *d 

Look  on  i  aloud. 

They  shoot  the  Up,  die  head  they  wave  ; 

*•  He  trust*  i  in  £ 

Upon  the  Lord  he  cast  his 

Then,  he  - 

Fet  art  thou  he  v.  md  from  nav._ 

life  mv  infant  nienilx  ht : 


4S  PSALM     XXII. 

And  when  Iclasp'd  my  mother's  breast, 
Thou  wert  my  God,  and  thou  my  rest. 

Oh,  go  not  far,  for  trouble  nears, 
And  none  save  thee  in  aid  appears  : 
Strong  bulls  of  Bashan  gird  me  round, 
And  ramping  lions  toss  the  ground. 

My  limbs,  my  heart,  melt  fast  away ; 
My  strength  departs,  as  dries  the  clay  ; 
With  parching  tongue,  I  pant  for  breath, 
Brought  downward  to  the  dust  of  death. 

Dogs  rage  around,  the  vile,  the  fierce  ; 
My  bleeding  hands  and  feet  they  pierce  ; 
On  my  spent  form  with  joy  they  stare, 
And  with  the  lot  my  vesture  share. 

Oh,  go  not  far,  my  strength,  my  Lord  : 
Make  haste  to  save  me  from  the  sword  : 
From  dogs,  from  lions,  shield  my  life, 
And  bear  me  from  the  bulls'  wild  strife. 

I'll  tell  thy  name  with  joyous  song 
Amidst  my  brethren's  gath'ring  throng : 
Oh,  praise  and  fear  that  name  divine, 
Thou  seed  of  Israel's  honour' d  line. 

He  will  not  laugh  when  mourners  mourn ; 
He  will  not  mock  with  loathing  scorn  ; 
He  will  not  turn  his  face  away  ; 
But  hears  the  humblest  lips  that  pray. 

My  song  of  praise  for  thee  shall  sound, 
Where  ransom'd  saints  adore  around  : 
And  where  thy  host  in  bliss  shall  bow, 
Shall  stand  redeem'd  my  grateful  vow. 

There,  the  meek  sufF'rer  shall  rejoice, 
Feast  in  thy  love,  and  lift  his  voice  : 
The  heart  that  pray'd,  in  praise  shall  soar, 
And  beat  with  life  that  dies  no  more. 


PSALM     XXII.  49 

Earth's  utmost  bounds  shall  hear  and  turn, 
All  tribes  and  realms  thy  worship  learn  ; 
For  God  the  Lord  all  empire  owns, 
And  rules  amidst  their  thousand  thrones. 

All,  all  shall  kneel :  the  rich  of  earth 
Shall  feast  and  bow  in  hallow' d  mirth, 
And  they  who  down  to  dust  draw  nigh, 
And  scarce  can  stay  th'  expiring  sigh. 

A  seed  shall  serve  him,  rising  fair  ; 

The  Lord's  own  name  their  racq.  shall  bear  : 

And  unborn  lines  of  sire  and  son 

Shall  tell  what  deeds  the  Lord  hath  done. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician;  to  the  Hind  of  the  Morning; 
a  Psalm  of  David."  It  is  probable  that  this  Psalm  and  others  were  to 
be  sung  to  particular  tunes  or  melodies,  which  sometimes  received 
their  names  from  other  songs,  to  which  they  had  been  originally 
adapted.  Such  a  tune  may  have  been  known  by  the  name  of  ;<the 
Hind  of  the  Morning;"  an  Oriental  figure,  perhaps,  for  the  dawn- 
ing day  ;  and  the  name  may  have  been  derived  from  some  words  of 
the  original  song.  There  are  Eastern  poems  or  other  writings,  called 
"  the  Bright  Star,"  "  the  Rosebush,"  "  the  Lion  of  the  Forest." 

This  is  a  clear  and  undoubted  prophecy  of  the  suffering  Saviour ; 
and,  as  such,  was  sung,  from  the  earliest  ages,  on  the  anniversary  of 
the  crucifixion.  It  is  even  difficult  to  believe  that  it  could  have  had 
its  origin  from  any  circumstances  in  the  life  of  David. 

A  Paraphrase  of  this  Psalm  exercised  the  talents  and  faith  of  Bos- 
suet,  in  the  intervals  of  ease  which  his  last  sickness  allowed. 

My  God,  my  God,  afar,  alone.  The  words  of  which  these  are  so 
faint  a  translation,  are  more  than  doubly  consecrated  by  their  utter- 
ance on  the  cross.  How  infinite  was  the  spiritual  anguish  which 
wrung  them  from  perfect  patience  ! 

They  shoot  the  Up,  the  head  they  wave.     These  gestures  were  the 
common  language  of  Eastern  derision.     Thus,  (Job  xvi.  10.) 
"  They  have  gaped  upon  me  with  their  mouth, 
They  have  smitten  me  upon  the  cheek  reproachfully." 
So,  in  the  reproof  of  Sennacherib  (2  Kings  xix.  21.) 

"  The  daughter  of  Jerusalem  hath  shaken  her  head  at  thee." 
The  history  of  the  passion  of  our  Lord  is  the  best  commentary 
upon  all  this  description. 

Strong  bulls  of  Bashan  gird  me  round  Bashan  was  a  country  of 
rich  pastures ;  and  from  its  hills  came  a  race  of  such  fierce  and 
mighty  animals,  as  might  well  furnish  a  figure  to  represent  cruel  and 
insolent  persecutors. 

5 


50  PSALM     XXIII. 

My  limbs,  my  heart,  melt  fast  away.  Ovid  has  the  same  figure  ; 
(e  Ponto,  Lib.  i.  Ep.  ii.  v.  57.) 

"  Sic  mea  perpetuis  liquescunt  pectora  curis, 
Ignihus  admotis  ut  nova  cera  solet." 
So  melts  my  breast  with  ceaseless,  anxious  woe, 
As  melts  the  wax  before  the  fiery  glow. 
My  strength  departs,  as  dries  tlte  elay.     The  moisture  of  a  vessel 
of  clay,  yielding  to  the  heat  in  which  it  is  placed  by  the  potter,  is  com- 
pared with  the  departing  vigour  of  the  sufferer. 

Dogs  rage  around,  the  rile,  the  fieree.  The  ferocity  of  the  dogs 
in  the  East  is  mentioned  by  various  travellers.  Denoii  says  that,  in 
Egypt,  he  no  longer  recognized  in  the  dog  u  the  friend  of  man,  the 
attached  and  faithful  companion."  u  He  does  not  know  him  whose 
house  he  protects ;  and  devours  his  corpse  without  repugnance." 

And  bear  me  from  the  bull's  wild  strife.  The  measure  has  induced 
me  to  adopt  the  translation  of  De  Wette,  wTho  supposes  the  animal 
here  named  to  be  a  kind  of  wild  ox  or  buffalo,  and  to  correspond 
with  the  bulls  of  Bashan,  which  had  been  introduced  before. 
Schultens  and  Michaelis,  also,  take  it  for  a  species  of  wild  bull. 

Fll  tell  thy  name  with  joyous  song.  This  sudden  transition  from 
the  depths  of  agony  to  a  joyful  and  exulting  strain  expresses  aptly 
the  triumphant  expectation  in  which  our  Saviour  at  last  commended 
his  spirit  to  the  Father. 


PSALM   XXIII. 


The  Lord  is  my  shepherd ;  I  ne'er  shall  have  need : 
He  gives  me  my  couch  on  the  green,  quiet  mead ; 
He  leads  me  beside  the  still  waters ;  and  brings 
His  wand'rer  to  pathways  where   righteousness 
springs. 

And  though  through  the  valley  of  death's  gloomy 

shade 
Thou  call' st  me  to  journey,  I  am  not  afraid  : 
No  ill  shall  befall  me,  with  thee  at  my  side, 
Thy  crook  for  my  comfort,  thy  staff'  for  my  guide. 

Thou  spread'st  me  a  banquet  in  eye  of  my  foes  ; 
Thou  crown' st  me  with  oil;  and  my  cup  over- 
flows : 
So,  goodness  and  grace  shall  my  footsteps  entwine, 
And  God's  holy  dwelling  shall  ever  be  mine. 


PSALM     XXIV.  51 

NOTES.—"  A  Psalm  of  David." 

The  Lord  is  my  sltepherd.  The  frequency  of  this  beautiful  figure 
in  the  Scriptures  makes  it  familiar  to  all;  and  its  adoption  by  "the 
good  Shepherd,  who  gave  his  life  for  the  sheep,"  renders  this  Psalm 
a  peculiarly  delightful  expression  of  Christian  confidence. 

The  valley  of  death's  gloomy  shade.  Morier  says,  that  "  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Ispahan,  there  is  a  valley  of  unparalleled  desola- 
tion and  dreariness,  which  is  called  the  valley  of  the  angel  of  death." 
There  is  no  reason,  however,  to  imagine  any  allusion  in  the  text  to 
a  place  in  Palestine,  known  by  a  similar  name.  Any  extreme  dis- 
tress seems  to  be  denoted ;  but  especially  the  most  awful  and  last. 
Bishop  Home  observes  that,  "  to  apprehend  the  scenery  in  this  verse, 
we  must  conceive  the  church  militant  and  the  church  triumphant,  as 
two  mountains,  between  which  lieth  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  necessary  to  be  passed  by  those  who  would  go  from  one  to  the 
other." 

Thy  crook  for  my  comfort.  The  crook  was  used  to  sustain  the 
lambs,  and  draw  them  near  the  flock. 

Thou  sprcad'st  me  a  banquet.  Here  the  figure  is  changed ;  and 
the  saint  is  seen  as  a  guest  in  the  house  of  God,  feasted  with  the 
abundance  of  divine  blessings,  and  anointed  with  the  fragrant  oil, 
which  was  the  token  of  honour  and  joy. 


PSALM  XXIV. 

Earth  is  the  Lord's,  its  treasur'd  heaps, 

And  all  its  peopling  throng : 
He  fix'd  it  on  the  mighty  deeps, 

And  on  the  torrents  strong. 

Who  shall  ascend  the  Lord's  fair  hill  ? 

Who  near  his  shrine  remain  ? 
The  clean  of  hands,  the  pure  of  will, 

The  soul  nor  false  nor  vain  : 

On  such  the  Lord's  rich  blessing  falls, 

The  just  Deliv'rer's  grace  : 
Such,  God  of  Jacob,  seek  thy  halls, 

Seek  thy  most  glorious  face. 

Lift  high  your  heads,  ye  heav'nly  gates  ; 
Spread  your  eternal  arch ; 


-32  PSALM     XXIV. 

While  his  bright  mansion  op'ning  waits 
The  King  of  glory's  march  ! 

Who  is  the  King  of  glory?  who? 

The  Lord,  the  strong  in  might : 
The  Lord,  who  ev'ry  foe  o'erthrew, 

Strong  in  victorious  fight. 

Lift  high  your  heads,  ye  heav'nly  gates  ; 

Ye  doors  eternal,  spread  : 
While  his  bright  mansion  op'ning  waits 

The  King  of  glory's  tread  ! 

Who  is  this  King  of  glory  ?  who  ? 

The  Lord  of  heav'nly  hosts  : 
His  kingly  glory  heav'n  shall  view, 

And  earth,  through  all  her  coasts. 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  David."  The  occasion  of  its  composition 
was  probably  the  removal  of  the  ark  to  Mount  Sion.  It  seems  to 
bear,  in  its  construction,  the  evidence  that  it  was  chanted  by  alternate 
choirs,  as  the  solemn  procession  ascended  to  the  sanctuary.  The 
division  made  by  Bishop  Horsley  is  the  following.  First,  the  chorus 
sing  the  opening  stanza.  The  question  in  the  second  stanza  is  asked 
by  a  single  voice ;  and  the  reply,  including  the  last  two  lines  of  that 
stanza,  and  the  first  two  of  the  next,  is  given  by  a  second  voice.  The 
last  two  lines  of  the  third  stanza  come  from  the  chorus.  A  semi- 
chorus  chants  the  next  stanza ;  a  single  voice  asks  the  question  im- 
mediately succeeding  it ;  and  another  voice  replies.  The  same  is 
repeated ;  and  the  last  two  lines  of  the  Psalm  are  the  conclusion  by 
the  whole  choir. 

Earth  is  the  Lord's,  its  treasured  heaps.  This  is  cited  by  St.  Paul. 
(1  Cor.  x.  26.) 

He  fix'd  it  on  the  mighty  deeps.  So  obvious  a  representation  of 
the  structure  of  the  earth  would  very  naturally  be  familiar  in  an  early 
age  ;  and  yet  it  conveys,  as  a  poetical  expression,  no  contradiction  to 
maturer  science. 

Lift  high  your  heads,  yehcav'afy  gates.     There  is  here  something 
far  higher  than  the  earthly  tabernacle.     It  is  the  ascension  of  the 
triumphant   Saviour  to  the  glory  which  he    had   with    tin;    Father, 
before  the  World  was;  and  to  the   mediatorial  throne.     The  noble 
paraplirase  of  Watts,  in  his  Lyrics,  will  readily  occur  to  the  reader. 
"  There  his  triumphal  chariot  waits. 
And  angek  chant  tJic  solemn  lay  ; 
'Lift  up  your  heads,  \v  heav'nly  gates, 
Ye  everlasting  doors,  give  way  !'  h 


PSALM     XXV.  53 

Almost  the  very  words  of  the  Psalmist  are  employed  by  Callima- 
chus  in  celebrating  the  approach  of  Apollo  to  his  temple  ;  and  Mr. 
Merrick  thinks  it  worthy  of  inquiry,  whether  they  may  not  have  been 
copied  from  this  Psalm. 

'Avri;  St  jcAjjjJV;  oyccg  Oeo$  'avert  pwt^il* 

Hymn  in  Apoll.  v.  6. 
Now  ope,  ye  gates,  to  him  your  portals  high, 
And  ope,  ye  bars  ;  for  lo,  the  God  is  nigh ! 


PSALM   XXV. 


Aspires  my  soul  to  thee,  O  Lord  ; 

My  hopes  on  thee,  my  God,  repose  : 
Be  never  shame  those  hopes'  reward  ;t 

Nor  give  the  triumph  to  my  foes. 

Come  shame  on  none  that  wait  on  thee, 
But  on  the  crowds  that  joy  in  ill : 

Direct  me  thy  just  ways  to  see, 
And  lead  me  in  thy  perfect  will. 

Expecting  thy  deliv'ring  feet, 

My  God,  I  hark  from  morn  till  eve : 

Forget  not  thou  thy  mercies  sweet, 
Nor  e'er  thine  ancient  favour  leave. 

Grace  is  thine  own  ;  in  grace  forget 
My  rebel  steps,  my  wand'ring  youth  : 

Hold  me  in  kind  remembrance  yet, 
And  lead  a  sinner  in  thy  truth. 

Just  is  the  Lord  ;  in  judgment's  hour 
His  hand  shall  guard  th'  afflicted  cause  : 

Kind  is  the  Lord  ;  and  kind  his  pow'r 
Enfolds  the  heart  that  loves  his  laws. 

Lord,  for  thy  sake  blot  out  my  shame, 
Though  broad  and  deep  its  blackness  be : 


54  PSALM     XXV. 

Mine  be  his  lot  who  fears  thy  name, 
And  free  and  peaceful  walks  with  thee. 

No  ill  shall  shake  his  household  shrine ; 

His  seed  their  own  fair  land  shall  hold ; 
On  such  the  faithful  Lord  shall  shine, 

Till  all  his  secret  truth  be  told. 

Patient,  I  keep  my  Lord  in  sight ; 

He  from  the  snare  my  feet  shall  free  : 
Return  with  thy  bright  mercy's  light, 

And  all  my  dark'ning  troubles  see. 

See  how  my  heart's  sad  path  they  crowd  ; 

See  all  my  foes  array' d  for  strife: 
They  hate  with  hatred  fierce  and  loud : 

Forgive  my  sin  ;  redeem  my  life  ! 

Up  to  thy  throne  my  hopes  arise  ; 

Thy  truth  and  grace  my  shield  bestow  : 
Waiting  on  thee,  my  spirit  cries, 

Redeem  thine  Israel,  Lord,  from  woe ! 

NOTES.— "  A  Psalm  of  David."  This  is  the  first  of  the  acrostical 
or  alphabetic  Psalms.  In  these,  the  verses  are  made  to  begin  with 
the  letters  of  the  Hebrew  alphabet  in  their  succession.  It  has  seemed 
to  me  that  the  spirit  of  the  original  would  best  be  preserved,  by  ad- 
hering to  the  same  rule  in  the  translation.  There  is,  occasionally,  in 
the  Hebrew,  an  omission  of  a  single  letter  in  its  order.  The  writer 
allowed  himself  this  latitude  ;  and  the  same  liberty  is  found  conven- 
ient in  transferring  the  acrostic  into  our  own  language. 

My  rebel  steps,  my  wand* ring  yoitth.  How  few  are  there,  who 
are  not  constrained,  in  remembrance  of  die  thoughtlessness  and  in- 
gratitude of  their  early  days,  to  feel  the  peculiar  emphasis  of  prayers 
like  these ! 

Till  all  his  secret  truth  be  told.  Secresy  is  the  sure  mark  of  close 
intimacy;  and  the  secret  of  the  Lord  is  his  most  endearing  evidence 
of  favour. 


PSALM     XXVI.  -5-3 


PSALM   XXVI. 


Judge  me,  O  Lord  most  high, 
For  I  in  pureness  tried 
Have  walk'd,  believing  thou  Avert  nigh, 
And  shall  not  slide  : 
Search  me,  O  Lord,  and  try, 
Try  thou  my  reins  and  heart ; 
For,  from  thy  love  and  truth  mine  eye 
Shall  ne'er  depart. 

I  sit  not  with  the  vain, 

Nor  tread  mid  crafty  feet ; 
I  hate  the  impious  crowd  profane, 
The  scoffer's  seat : 
I'll  wash  my  hands  from  stain, 
And  compass  round  thy  shrine, 
And  sing  thy  works  in  joyful  strain, 
Thy  works  divine. 

Lord,  I  have  lov'd  the  place 

"Where  thou  hast  fix'd  thy  throne, 
Where  the  bright  glory  of  thj'  grace 
Around  me  shone  : 
Not  with  the  guilty  race 

Sweep  thou  my  forfeit  life  ; 
Not  with  the  men  of  brib'ry  base, 
And  bloody  strife. 

So  I  in  pureness  tried 

My  peaceful  way  will  go  : 
Be  thou  a  Saviour  at  my  side, 
And  mercy  show  : 
While  thou  my  step  shalt  guide, 
I  tread  in  even  ways  ; 
Till  with  thy  people  I  abide, 
And  sing  thy  praise. 


56  PSALM     XXVII. 

NOTES.— "  A  Psalm  of  David."  *> 

Try  thou  my  reins  and  hart.  The  Hebrew  phraseology  makes 
the  reins  or  bowels  the  seat  of  the  affections. 

Lord,  I  have  lov'd  the  place.  Here,  the  version  of  Merrick  is  ex- 
cellent ; 

"  How  oft,  instinct  with  warmth  divine, 

Thy  threshold  have  I  trod  ! 
How  lov'd  the  courts  whose  walls  enshrine 

The  glory  of  my  God  !" 

I  tread  in  even  ways.  These  are  the  figurative  expression  of  that 
clear  guidance  and  blessed  peace,  which  are  afforded  by  the  divine 
commandments. 


PSALM   XXVII. 


The  Lord  is  my  salvation's  light : 

What  brings  my  heart  alarm  ? 
The  Lord  is  all  my  spirit's  might : 

Who,  who,  shall  work  me  harm  ? 

On  came  the  wicked's  rushing  pow'r, 

Th'  oppressor  and  the  foe  : 
They  came,  to  trample  and  devour ; 

They  fell,  and  grovell'd  low. 

Though  hosts  their  camp  against  me  spread, 

My  soul  shall  fear  no  ill ; 
Though  war  uprear  its  angry  head, 

My  hope  shall  triumph  still. 

One  boon  my  pray'rs  from  God  request, 

And  trust  his  grace  to  give  ; 
That  in  his  temple's  holy  rest 

I  all  my  years  may  live. 

There,  I  shall  see  his  radiance  fair, 

And  on  his  glory  gaze  ; 
And  find  my  quiet  refuge  there 

In  evil's  gloomiest  days. 


PSALM     XXVII.  57 

He  bids  me  safe,  in  still  repose, 

In  his  pavilion  lie  ; 
He,  on  a  rock  o'er  all  my  foes, 

Exalts  my  head  on  high. 

So  I,  within  his  house  of  pray'r, 

Will  grateful  off 'rings  bring  ; 
Fill  with  my  strains  that  sacred  air, 

And  God's  high  praises  sing. 

Hear  thou  my  voice,  that  humbly  cries, 

And  answ'ring  favour  speak  ! 
"  Seek  ye  my  face  !"  my  heart  replies, 

Thy  face,  O  Lord,  I  seek. 

JVor  hide  thy  face,  with  wrathful  brow, 

Nor  be  my  pray'r  abhorr'd  : 
Till  now  my  help,  forsake  not  now, 

My  Saviour,  and  my  Lord  ! 

Father  and  mother  may  forsake  ; 

The  Lord  shall  then  sustain : 
Oh,  guide  me,  Lord,  thy  way  to  take, 

And  let  that  way  be  plain. 

For,  many  foes  would  hem  my  path, 

And  men  of  falsehood  rise  : 
Oh,  give  me  not  to  slake  their  wrath, 

That  breathes  but  threats  and  lies. 

Had  I  not  hop'd  thy  love  to  see, 

Nor  life's  fair  land  depart ! 
Wait  on  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  free  ; 

Wait  on  the  Lord,  my  heart ! 

NOTES.—"  A  Psalm  of  David." 

Seek  ye  my  face.  The  peculiarity  of  this  passage  in  the  original 
may  justify  the  apparent  abruptness,  by  which  it  is  here  imitated. 

Had  I  not  hop'd  thy  love  to  see.  No  supply  of  the  ellipsis  here  can 
fail  to  diminish  the  strength  of  the  exclamation. 


5S  PSALM     XXVIII. 


PSALM    XXVIII. 

On  thee  I  call,  O  Lord  my  Rock ; 

Oh,  turn  not,  while  I  crave  ; 
Lest,  if  thy  silence  seem  to  mock, 

I  journey  tow'rds  the  grave. 

Lest,  with  the  nameless  dwellers  there, 

I  find  my  last  long  home, 
See  my  spread  hands,  and  hear  my  pray'r, 

That  seek  thy  sacred  dome. 

Nor  snatch  me  hence  with  yonder  crowd, 

The  men  of  secret  sin, 
Whose  words  of  peace  are  fair  and  loud, 

While  treach'ry  lurks  wdthin. 

Reward  them  as  their  hearts  have  plann'd  ; 

On  them  their  treach'ry  crown  : 
They  have  not  own'd  the  Lord's  high  hand ; 

That  hand  shall  sweep  them  down. 

Prais'd  be  the  Lord  !     He  heard  my  voice, 

The  Lord,  my  buckler  strong  : 
My  trusting  heart  shall  loud  rejoice, 

And  loud  my  grateful  song. 

The  Lord  is  his  anointed's  might : 

Oh,  save  thy  people  true  : 
Refresh  them  with  thy  pure  delight, 

And  bear  them  conquering  through. 

NOTES.— "A  Psalm  of  David." 

Sec  my  spread  hands,  and  hear  my  pray'r.  The  gesture  of  extending 
the  hands  towards  heaven  in  prayer,  is  natural  and  general.  iEschylua 
speaks  of 

Xeigorovovs   XiTcc$, 
"Vows  with  outstretched  hands." 
Prais'd  be  tlic  Lord  !      He  heard  my  voice.     If  Psalms  like  this,  in 
which  fervent  supplication  for  deliverance  is  followed  by  ascriptions 


PSALM     XXIX.  09 

of  praise,  had  really  their  origin  in  any  special  danger,  temporal  or 
spiritual,  of  the  Psalmist,  it  must  be  supposed  that,  in  most  instances, 
they  were  composed  after  the  deliverance.  The  jjoet  would  then 
bring  before  his  imagination,  in  the  liveliest  manner,  the  peril  from 
which  he  had  been  rescued,  and  his  earnest  cries  for  relief. 


PSALM   XXIX. 


Give  unto  the  Lord,  ye  sons  of  might, 

Honor  and  strength  and  fame  ; 
Give  unto  the  Lord  his  endless  right, 
His  worship,  of  holy  beauty  bright, 

The  honour  of  his  name. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  on  the  deep  ; 

The  God  of  glory  calls  : 
The  Lord  is  upon  the  waves'  wild  heap  ; 
The  voice  of  the  Lord,  its  thunders  sweep 

Through  heav'n's  re-echoing  halls. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  majestic  takes 

O'er  Lebanon  its  way  : 
The  voice  of  the  Lord  the  cedars  breaks  ; 
Like  a  leaping  calf,  old  Sirion  shakes, 

Like  unicorns  at  play. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord,  mid  flames  it  goes  ; 

It  wakes  the  desert  lair ; 
The  voice  of  the  Lord  wild  Kadesh  knows; 
The  voice  of  the  Lord  bows  down  the  does  ; 

And  strips  the  forest  bare. 

His  glory  is  told,  where  high  he  reigns, 

Whose  throne  can  never  cease  ; 
The  Lord,  who  rides  on  the  wat'ry  plains, 
The  Lord,  who  his  people's  strength  maintains, 

Who  gives  his  people  peace. 

NOTES.— "A  Psalm  of  David."  The  Septuagint  adds,  "at  leaving 
the  tent ;"  from  which  Rosenmueller  conjectures  that  the  Jews  were 


GO  PSALM     XXX. 

accustomed  to  sing  it  at  the  close  of  the  feast  of  tabernacles.  It  is  a 
bold  and  sublime  description  ofthe  <rlory  and  power  of  God,  displayed 
in  one  of  those  strong  tempests,  which  often  sweep  over  the  Holy 
Land. 

Give  unto  the  Lord,  ye  sons  of  might.  The  highest  princes  of  the 
earth,  and  the  mighty  angels,  may  be  supposed  to  be  united  in  this 
form  of  addrc--. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  on  the  deep.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say. 
that  the  thunder  and  the  blast  are  represented  as  the  awful  voice  ofthe 
Most  High.  Perhaps,  the  waters  may  here  be  the  collected  rains 
and  clouds ;  but  it  is  easy  to  imagine  the  tempest  rushing  from  the 
Mediterranean. 

The  voire  ofthe  Lord  the  cedars  hrcaks.  The  cedars  of  Lebanon  are 
proverbial  for  their  stupendous  superiority  amongst  trees.  Maun- 
drell  saw  one  of  the  few  ancient  ones  that  have  remained  till  modern 
times,  which  was  six  and  thirty  feet  in  circumference. 

Like  a  leaping  calf  old  Sirion  shakes.  A  double  range  of  mountains 
stretch  along  the  Northern  extremity  of  Palestine  ;  Lebanon  or  Liba- 
nus  on  the  West,  hanging  over  the  Phoenician  shores ;  and  Antiliba- 
nus  on  the  East,  still  loftier,  and  covered,  on  the  summits,  with  per- 
petual snows.  The  latter  was  called  by  the  Hebrews,  Hermon ;  by 
the  Amorites,  Shenir;  and  by  the  Sidonians,  Sirion.     (Deut.  hi.  9.) 

The  voice  ofthe  Lord  icild  Kadcsh  knoics.  Kadesh  was  a  city  on 
the  borders  of  Edom;  and  Reland  judges  that  the  wilderness  of  Ka- 
desh was  that  neighbouring  wilderness  of  Sin,  through  which  the 
Israelites  journeyed. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  boics  doicn  the  does.  Bishop  Lowth  thought 
this  circumstance  beneath  the  general  loftiness  of  the  Psalm,  and 
would  have  rendered  the  passage,  "  bows,"  or  "  rends,  the  oaks ;" 
but,  in  this  instance,  the  correctness  of  his  translation,  as  well  as  of  his 
taste,  may  be  doubted.  The  parturition  of  the  hind  is  said  to  be 
peculiarly  difficult;  and  the  terror  produced  by  the  tempest  is  thus 
depicted  by  a  figure  as  lively  as  the  crashing  ofthe  cedars  of  Lebanon. 


PSALM   XXX. 


I  will  extol,  with  grateful  voice, 
The  Lord  who  rais'd  me  high  ; 

Who  would  not  bid  my  foes  rejoice, 
But  heard  my  suppliant  cry. 

O  Lord  my  God,  thy  love  hath  hcal'd, 
And  brought  me  from  the  grave: 

The  yawning  )>ii  its  mouth  hath  seal'd, 
For  thou  wcrt  nigh  to  save. 


PSALM     XXX.  61 

Sing  to  the  Lord,  ye  saints  his  own, 

Sing  your  Deliv'rer's  praise  ; 
And  bending  tow'rds  his  holy  throne, 

Your  glad  memorial  raise. 

One  moment  with  his  frown  oppress'd, 

We  live  beneath  his  ray  : 
Though  weeping  bide,  an  evening  guest, 

Joy  comes  at  dawn  of  day. 

I  said,  in  my  presumptuous  sleep, 

"  I  ne'er  shall  feel  a  shock  ; 
Thy  favour,  Lord,  hath  fix'd  so  deep 
My  mountain's  base  of  rock." 

Thou  hidd'st  thy  face  :  in  fear  and  need, 
To  thee  I  made  my  pray'r  ; 

II  What  gains  the  Lord,  though  I  should  bleed  ? 

Can  dust  his  truth  declare  ? 

Oh,  hear,  and  send  thy  gracious  aid!" 

And  thou  that  aid  hast  sent ; 
My  step  for  triumph's  dance  arrayed, 

My  mournful  sackcloth  rent ; 

And  girt  me  round  with  grateful  joy, 

That  I  may  ceaseless  sing : 
Thus  shall  thy  praise  my  pow'rs  employ, 

O  Lord,  my  heav'nly  King ! 

NOTES.—"  A  Psalm  of  David;  a  Song  at  the  dedication  of  the 
house."  If  this  superscription  contain  an  authentic  account  of  the 
origin  of  the  Psalm,  it  probably  gives  rather  the  date  than  the  subject; 
unless  we  may  suppose  that  the  monarch  commemorated,  on  that 
occasion,  the  pestilence  which  had  been  stayed  at  the  spot  on  which 
the  temple  was  built,  the  threshing-floor  of  Araunah. 

We  live  beneath  his  ray.  For  a  single  moment,  as  it  were,  his  chas- 
tisements may  be  felt,  but  our  whole  life  is  passed  in  the  midst  of  his 
mercies  ;  and  in  his  favour  is  life  eternal. 

Tliough  weeping  bide,  an  evening  guest.  This  figure  is  actually  ex- 
pressed by  the  original. 

My  mountain's  base  of  rock.  In  the  poetical  language  of  the  East, 
the  mountain  is  the  emblem  of  a  state  of  dignity  and  safety. 


62  PSALM    XXXI. 

My  step  for  triumph's  dance  array' d.  The  sacred  dance  was  the 
expression  of  the  most  exulting  gratitude. 

My  mournful  sackcloth  rent.  This  was  a  dark  cloth,  made  of  goats' 
hair,  and  worn  in  the  shape  of  a  sack,  descending  as  far  as  to  the 
middle  of  the  bodv. 


PSALM   XXXI. 

In  thee,  O  Lord,  I  trust ; 

Save  me  from  shame  and  fear ; 
Save  me,  as  thou  art  good  and  just ; 

And  bow  thy  gracious  ear. 

Come  to  my  help  with  speed ; 

Come  with  thy  shelt'ring  pow'r ; 
My  refuge  in  mine  hour  of  need, 

My  rock  and  fortress  tow'r. 

Lead  me,  for  thine  own  sake  ; 

And  snatch  me  from  the  snare, 
That,  my  unwary  feet  to  take, 

My  foes  unseen  prepare. 

With  thee  my  succour  stands, 
Thee,  my  Redeemer  tried: 

Lord  God  of  truth,  to  thy  kind  hands 
My  spirit  I  confide. 

I  hate  the  falsehood  vain  ; 

I  trust  alone  the  Lord  ; 
And  still  my  heart,  in  joyous  strain, 

Shall  all  thy  love  record  ; 

That  thou  hast  seen  my  woes  ; 

That  thou  hast  known  my  fear ; 
Nor  shut  me  to  my  lurking  foes, 

But  set  my  footsteps  clear. 

Have  mercy,  Lord!  mine  cjt, 
My  soul,  in  sorrow  pine  ; 


PSALM     XXXI.  63 

And,  spent  with  many  a  weary  sigh, 
]\]y  lonely  years  decline  ; 

My  bones  are  all  decay ; 

My  foemen  taunting  see  ; 
My  bosom  friends  turn  cold  away, 

And  they  that  mark  me  flee. 

Forgotten,  as  the  dead, 

Spurn'd,  like  a  broken  vase, 
I  hear  the  frequent  slander  spread ; 

Fear  sits  on  ev'ry  face  : 

They  join  in  dark  accord, 

My  captive  life  to  rend  ; 
But  I  will  trust  in  thee,  O  Lord, 

And  name  thee  God  and  Friend. 

Thy  hands  my  time  assign ; 

Save  me  from  hate  and  shame  : 
Let  thy  kind  smile  above  me  shine  ; 

Save,  for  thy  gracious  name  ! 

As  I  have  call'd  thee,  save  : 

Let  shame  the  vile  surprise, 
And  silence  cover,  in  the  grave, 

The  lips  that  joy  in  lies  ; 

That  ope  in  slander  proud 

Against  the  pure  of  heart, 
Mock  his  fair  fame  with  insult  loud, 

Or  steal  with  secret  art. 

How  great  thy  goodness,  Lord, 

Laid  up  for  thine  with  thee  ; 
Wrought  for  the  souls  that  trust  thy  word ; 

That  all  that  live  may  see ! 

Thy  presence  holds  them  safe 
From  man's  assailing  pride  : 


64  PSALM     XXXII. 

Though  warring  tongues  around  them  chafe, 
Within  thy  tent  they  hide. 

The  gracious  Lord  be  bless'd, 

M}r  city's  tow'r  and  wall ! 
For  when,  by  thronging  terrors  press'd, 

I  fled,  and  seem'd  to  fall ; 

Then  rose  my  wild  complaint, 

"  I  perish  lrom  thine  eye  !" 
But  love  the  Lord,  each  suppliant  saint  I 

He  heard  my  doubting  cry. 

The  Lord  preserves  the  true, 

And  pays  the  deed  of  pride  : 
Stand,  and  your  strength  shall  he  renew, 

Ye  that  his  time  abide  ! 

NOTES.— "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David"  The 
common  supposition  is,  that  it  has  reference  to  that  period  of  his  his- 
tory, when  he  wandered  in  the  wilderness,  pursued  by  Saul-  and  be- 
trayed by  the  Ziphites.  Cardinal  Fisher  repeated  this  Psalm  upon 
the  scaffold. 

My  spirit  J  confide.  Our  Saviour  expired,  with  the  words  of  this 
verse  upon  his  lips  ;  and  many  a  saint  baa  echoed  them  from  the  bed 
of  death.  M  Among  our  ancestors,"  says  Dr.  Clarke,  u  these  words  , 
as  they  stand  in  the  Vulgate,  were  used  by  the  sick  when  about  to 
expire,  if  they  were  sensible  ;  and  if  not,  the  priest  said  them  in  their 
behalf."  Whatever  superstition  may  have  been  linked  with  the 
Latin  form,  the  words  themselves  are  consecrated,  for  the  departing 
spirit. 

My  city's  tow'r  and  icall !  This  seems  the  thought ;  but  some  have 
imagined  an  allusion  to  the  perils  of  David  in  the  fortified  town  of 
Keilah ;  and  Tate  and  Brady  have  not  hesitated  to  introduce  in  their 
version  the  name  of  that  city. 


PSALM   XXXII. 


How  bless'd  the  man,  whose  guilt  is  heal'd, 
Whose  crime  the  Lord  hath  veiPd  and  seal'd ! 
How  bless'd,  whose  sins  axe  all  forgot; 
The  guileless  spirit,  cleans'd  lrom  spot ! 


PSALM     XXXII.  65 

Silent  too  long,  by  night,  by  day, 

I  groan'd  my  weary  life  away  : 

I  pin'd  beneath  thy  heavy  hold ; 

And  health's  parch'd  streams  scarce  faintly  roll'd. 

I  spoke  my  sin  ;  I  cover' d  naught ; 
I  bar'd  to  thee  my  guiltiest  thought ; 
I  vow'd  my  heart  to  God  to  tell, 
And  thou  forgav'st,  where'er  I  fell. 

For  this,  while  yet  thy  grace  is  near, 
The  good  man's  pray'r  shall  seek  thine  ear : 
So,  when  thy  wrath's  fierce  billows  roar, 
They  shall  not  climb  his  peaceful  shore. 

Thou  art  the  hold,  where  safe  I  cow'r  ; 
Thou  shield' st  my  head,  when  perils  low'r ; 
And  thou  wilt  yet  my  path  surround 
With  songs  that  thy  salvation  sound. 

Mine  eye  your  way  shall  search  and  lead  : 
Oh,  be  not  like  the  senseless  steed, 
Whose  mouth  must  feel  the  bit  and  band, 
Whose  foot  contemns  thy  mild  command. 

Griefs  throng  around  the  head  unjust, 
And  mercies  crown  the  faithful  trust: 
Then  let  your  songs,  ye  just,  accord, 
And  joy,  ye  upright,  in  the  Lord  ! 

NOTES.—"  A  Psalm  of  David."  It  might  so  fitly  be  the  language 
of  any  penitent  sinner,  at  any  time,  that  a  particular  occasion  need 
not  be  sought  for  its  origin. 

How  bless1 d  tlie  man  whose  guilt  is  heaVdl  This  passage  is  cited  by 
St.  Paul  (Rom.  iv.  6,  7.)  to  illustrate  the  doctrine  of  justification  by 
faith. 

I  pin'd  beneath  thy  lieavy  hold.     So  Job  (xiii.  21.) 
"  Withdraw  thine  hand  far  from  me, 
And  let  not  thy  dread  make  me  afraid." 
The  biographer  of  Archbishop  Sancroft  relates  that  the  only  ex- 
pression like  complaint,  which  was  heard  from  him  during  his  last 
illness,  was  in  the  words  of  this  verse. 
6* 


GG  tsalm   xxxiii. 

Mine  eye  your  way  shall  march  and  had.  I  have  supposed,  that  in 
this  verse  tlit-  Lord  himself  is  represented ai  speaking ;  hut  it  may  be 
tlie  admonition  of  the  Psalmist,  addressed  to  his  fellow-men. 

Then  Id  your  stums.  y<  just,  accord.  Bishop  Hare  and  Bishop 
Lowth  would  place  tliis  last  ver.se  at  the  beginning  of  tlie  following 
Psalm. 


PSALM  XXXIII. 


Rejoice,  ye  just ;  in  God  rejoice  ; 
Praise  well  becomes  the  pious  voice  : 
His  praise  from  harp  and  psalt'ry  ring, 
And  strike  the  lute  of  tenfold  string. 


\-2* 


Sing  new  the  song,  and  loud  and  well 
Pour  out  the  lyre's  melodious  swell : 
For  God's  pure  word  is  truth  and  light, 
And  all  his  deeds  are  firm  in  right. 

In  judgment  rules  the  Lord  on  high  ; 

On  justice  rests  bis  fav'ring  eye  ; 

While  earth  with  wealth  and  blessing  teems, 

Beneath  his  bounty's  kindly  beams. 

At  God's  high  word  the  heav'ns  were  made  ; 
One  breath  from  him  their  hosts  array'd  : 
He  roll'd  the  waters,  heap  on  heap, 
And  garner' d  up  the  raging  deep. 

Let  the  broad  world  before  him  fear; 
The  tribes  thai  throng  this  earthly  sphere: 
He  spake,  mid  nil  was  lair  and  good  ; 
He  gave  command,  and  firm  it  stood. 

God  breaks  the  heathen's  proudest  thoughts 
And  makes  their  craftiest  v.  isdom naught  i 
His  counsel  stands,  foreTerfast ; 

His  heart's  design,  while  ages  last. 


PSALM     XXXIII.  G7 

Bless'd,  who  the  Lord  our  God  obey, 
The  chosen  people  of  his  sway  ! 
From  heav'n  the  Lord,  with  boundless  ken 
Looks  o'er  the  busy  sons  of  men  ; 

From  his  high  dwelling's  holy  place 
Looks  o'er  his  earth's  assembled  race, 
And  forma  their  countless  hearts  as  one, 
And  knows  the  deeds  their  hands  have  done. 

Kings  are  not  sav'd  by  many  an  host ; 
Vain  is  the  val'rous  champion's  boast ; 
And  vain  for  flight  the  panting  steed, 
He  shall  not  save  by  strength  nor  speed. 

Lo,  them  that  fear  him  eyes  the  Lord, 
The  souls  that  trust  his  gracious  word  : 
Them  shall  he  keep,  when  myriads  die, 
And  feed  mid  famine's  bitter  cry. 

We  wait  for  God,  our  hope-  and  shield  ; 
And  glorious  joy  that  trust  shall  yield  : 
On  us,  O  Lord,  thy  mercy  be, 
As  we  have  fix'd  our  hope  on  thee  ! 

NOTES. — This  Psalm  has  no  superscription. 
His  praise  from  harp  and  psah'ry  ring.     The  little  which  may  be 
known  of  the  Jewish  instrument!  of  music  is  collected  in  a  disserta- 
tion of  Pfeiffer,  a  translation  of  which  was  published  in  Robinson's 
Biblical  Repository  for  1835. 

Sing  new  the  song.  This  is  often  mentioned,  as  an  indication  of 
unusual  joy,  and  as  a  more  evident  honour  to  the  immediate  occa- 
sion of  praise. 

He  spake,  and  all  was  fair  and  good.  There  is  here  an  allusion  to 
the  passage,  "  God  said,  let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light."  Mr. 
Goode  has  strikingly  expressed  it ; 

"  He  spake — Lo  !  earth  and  skies 

Their  perfect  forms  disclose  ; 
He  bade  the  beauteous  order  rise, 
And  Order  rose !" 


GS  PSALM     XXXIV. 


PSALM   XXXIV. 

Amidst  no  change  of  joy  or  fear 
Shall  sink  my  grateful  voice  ; 

But  boast  in  God,  till  sorrow's  ear 
Shall  hearken,  and  rejoice. 

Come,  let  oar  cheerful  songs  accord 

To  lift  his  name  on  high  : 
Distress'd  and  poor,  I  sought  the  Lord, 

And  he  receiv'd  my  cry. 

Expecting  him,  the  eye  grows  bright, 

And  shame  and  sorrow  flee  ; 
Flee,  as,  at  prayVs  deliv'ring  might, 

Far  off  they  fled  from  me. 

God's  angels  camp,  a  guardian  band, 

Around  the  humble  just : 
How  bless'd  their  portion  at  his  hand  ! 

Oh,  taste  and  see,  and  trust ! 

In  God's  pure  fear  with  peace  abide ; 

Want  shall  not  reach  his  saints  ; 
Kept,  e'en  while  prowling  far  and  wide, 

The  famish'd  lion  faints. 

Listen  and  learn,  ye  young  in  days, 

How  holy  wisdom  fears  : 
Might  ye  not  crave  in  prosp'rous  ways 

A  joyous  length  of  years  ? 

Ne'er  let  your  tongue  with  malice  burn, 

Ne'er  be  your  lips  untrue  : 
O'er  strife  and  sin  victorious  turn, 

And  peace,  sweet  peace,  pursue.  . 

Peace  smiles  from  Cod  along  the  path 
Where  righteous  pray'rs  arise  : 


PSALM     XXXV.  69 

Red  o'er  the  wicked  flames  his  wrath, 
And  all  their  mem'ry  dies. 

Saviour  of  ev'ry  contrite  breast, 

He  comes  in  days  of  need  : 
Though  foes  the  saints'  sad  path  invest, 

Yet  not  a  limb  shall  bleed. 

Vengeance,  for  all  the  scoffer's  dreams, 

Dread  recompense  shall  claim ; 
While  God  his  servants'  soul  redeems, 

And  saves  their  trust  from  shame. 


NOTES. — "A  Psalm  of  David,  when  he  changed  his  behaviour 
before  Abimelech,  so  that  he  drove  him  away,  and  he  departed." 
Abimelech  was  the  hereditary  name  of  the  Philistine  kings  ;  and  the 
history  of  this  dissimulation  and  escape  of  David  is  found  in  the 
twenty-first  chapter  of  the  first  book  of  Samuel.  There  is  nothing 
that  may  absolutely  prove  or  disprove  the  correctness  of  this  super- 
scription. 

The  present  is  the  second  of  the  acrostical  Psalms. 

God's  angels  camp,  a  guardian  band.  So  the  servant  ofElisha  saw 
the  mountains  around  covered  with  chariots  of  fire  and  horses  of  fire. 
(2  Kings  vi.  17.)  The  figure  and  the  vision  both  express  a  delight- 
ful and  a  certain  truth ;  that  the  angels  are  ministering  spirits  towards 
the  heirs  of  salvation. 

Tlie  famish7 d  lion  faints.  When  strength,  and  pride,  and  fierce- 
ness, are  vain,  the  weakest  servant  of  Godjshall  still  be  upheld. 


PSALM   XXXV. 


Strive,  Lord,  with  them  that  strive  with  me  ; 
Let  them  that  fight  me  fight  at  thee  ; 
Gird  on  thy  buckler  and  thy  shield  ; 
The  swift,  sharp  javelin  grasp  and  wield  ; 
And  come,  in  mercy  and  in  wrath, 
And  close  the  fierce  pursuer's  path, 
And  say,  to  cheer  my  trembling  heart, 
How  thou  its  strong  salvation  art. 


70  PSALM     XXXV. 

Let  shame  and  trouble  end  the  strife 
That  aims  to  snatch  my  guiltless  lite  ; 

In  shame  and  trouble  turn  them  back, 
Who  spread  their  sna*es  around  my  track: 
Strew  them,  like  chaff  along  the  blast, 
While  thy  stern  angel  follows  fast ; 
And  dark  and  slipp'ry  be  the  road, 
Where  thy  stern  angel  on  shall  goad. 

Let  hidden  ills  their  woe  prepare, 
And  fall  they  by  their  own  false  snare  ; 
While  I  my  grateful  tribute  bring, 
And  loud  the  Lord's  salvation  sing, 
Till  all  my  frame  exulting  cry,  ^ 
"  Oh,  who  is  like  the  Lord  on  high, 
That  saves  the  needy  from  the  strong, 
And  rights  the  helpless  suff'rer's.wrong  ?" 

With  oaths  of  falsehood  foul  they  stood, 
And  paid  me  murd'rous  ill  for  good; 
For  I,  above  their  painful  bed, 
The  tears  of  cordial  grief  had  shed  ; 
My  fasting  watch  in  sackcloth  kept, 
As  if  a  brother's  woe  I  wept ; 
And  bow'd  to  pour  my  inmost  pray'r, 
As  if  my  mother's  bier  were  there. 

But  when  I  pin'd,  they  gather'd  by, 
With  mirth's,  and  hate's  vindictive  cry  : 
They  gnash'd  their  teeth,  the  llatt'rers  base, 
That  seek  at  affluent  boards  a  place  : 
How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  vengeance  sleep? 
Oh,  save  me  from  their  lion  hap  ; 
That  I  may  praise  thee,  oft  and  loud, 
Amongst  thy  people's  gladden'd  crowd. 

Nor  yield  them  joy,  whose  causeless  hate 
Would  wink  and  triumph  o'er  my  fate  ; 


PSALM     XXXV.  71 

Who  secret  fraud  and  malice  speak 
To  stain  the  pure,  to  wound  the  meek  ; 
And  cry,  with  laughter's  mocking  mien, 
"  Aha,  aha,  our  eyes  have  seen  !" 
Thou,  too,  hast  seen,  O  God  most  high  : 
Oh  stand,  nor  stand  in  silence,  nigh  ! 

Awake,  arise,  my  Lord  and  God; 
Lift  in  my  cause  thy  vengeful  rod  : 
Let  thine  own  truth  my  doom  decide  ; 
Nor  yield  me  to  the  boast  of  pride  ; 
Nor  let  them  cry,  "  aha,  'tis  done  ! 
Our  heart's  prophetic  wish  is  won  !" 
And  o'er  my  ruin  fiercely  say, 
"  We  conquer'd  and  devour'd  the  prey  !" 

Let  shame  and  trouble  robe  them  all, 
Who  joy  to  hope  my  fatal  fall ; 
While  they  that  ask  my  just  success 
With  shout  and  song  thy  name  shall  bless: 
11  Bless'd,"  let  them  cry,  no  more  to  cease, 
11  The  Lord,  who  loves  his  servants'  peace !" 
And  I  will  chant  thy  righteous  praise, 
From  morn  till  evening's  purple  rays. 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  David."  Our  Saviour  has  applied  some 
words  of  this  Psalm  to  himself  (John  xv.  25.)  ;  and  although  it  was 
probably  written  during  the  persecution  which  David  sustained  from 
Saul  and  his  court,  yet  the  secondary  reference  to  the  Messiah  gives 
it,  throughout,  a  surpassing  beauty  and  energy. 

Strive,  Lord,  with  them  that  strive  icith  me.  Hopkins  has  been 
happy  here. 

u  Lord,  plead  my  cause  against  my  foes ;  confound  their  force  and 

might ; 
Fight  on  my  part  against  all  those  that  seek  with  me  to  fight : 
Lay  hand  upon  the  spear  and  shield  ;  thyself  in  armour  dress  ; 
Stand  up  for  me  and  fight  the  field,  to  help  me  from  distress.'* 

Till  all  my  frame  exulting  cry.  Every  bone  of  the  sufferer,  his  in- 
most frame,  is  represented  as  partaking  of  the  joy  of  his  deliverance. 

'E*  (Ml  yeiotro  <pQoyyo$  iv  Bgct%tovt, 

Eurip.  Hec.  v.  386. 


72  PSALM     XXXVI. 

Might  my  arm  a  voice  awake, 
Might  my  hands  from  silence  break, 
Ev'ry  hair  that  crowns  my  head, 
And  my  footsteps'  ev'ry  tread. 

Would  wink  and  triumph  o'er  my  fate.     So,  in  the  Book  of  Proverbs 
(vi.  12—14.) 

"  A  naughty  person,  a  wicked  man, 
Walketh  with  a  froward  mouth. 
He  winketh  with  his  eyes, 
He  speaketh  with  his  feet, 
He  teacheth  with  his  fingers; 
Frowardness  is  in  his  heart." 

Aha,  aha,  our  eyes  have  seen  !     This  is  the  interjection  of  high  ex- 
ultation over  some  event. 


PSALM  XXXVI. 

My  heart  within  me  sighs, 

Pond'ring  the  sinner's  sin  : 
No  fear  of  God  illumes  his  eyes, 

And  falsehood  hides  within. 

His  soul  deceiv'd  awhile 

Th'  applauding  world  deceives  ; 

And  whisp'ring  words  of  treach'rous  guile, 
The  way  of  wisdom  leaves. 

E'en  on  his  midnight  bed 

Dark  thoughts  his  bosom  throng : 
He  wakes,  the  paths  of  guilt  to  tread, 

Nor  fears  its  blackest  wrong. 

Far  as  the  boundless  sky 

Thy  mercy,  Lord,  ascends  ; 
Far  as  the  rolling  clouds  can  fly, 

Thy  sacred  truth  extends. 

Strong  as  th'  eternal  hills, 

Thy  justice  holds  its  sway ; 
Deep  as  the  depths  old  ocean  fills, 

Thy  judgments'  wondrous  way. 


PSALM      XXXVII.  73 

Guard  of  all  living  things  ! 
How  precious  is  thy  love, 
That  spreads  the  shadow  of  its  wings 
Our  trusting  race  above  ! 

Thy  household's  fulness  sweet 

Shall  sate  our  longing  dreams  ; 
And  thine  own  Eden's  joj'ous  seat 

Shall  pour  refreshing  streams. 

For  thine  is  life's  pure  rill ; 

Thine  is  the  light  of  light : 
Oh,  give  thy  saints  thy  mercy  still, 

And  give  the  righteous  right. 

Far  be  the  foot  of  pride, 

And  far  the  wasting  hand ; 
And  lo  !  the  false  transgressors  slide, 

They  fall,  and  ne'er  shall  stand  ! 

NOTES. — For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David,  the  servant 
of  the  Lord." 

Far  as  the  boundless  shy.  The  Psalmist  turns  from  this  sad  view  of 
the  wickedness  of  so  many,  to  solace  and  strengthen  himself  with  the 
contemplation  of  the  eternal  attributes  of  God,  and  the  bliss  reserved 
for  the  righteous. 

And  thine  oicn  Eden  s  joyous  seat.  Perhaps  I  have  here  wandered 
too  much  from  the  literal  sense,  allured  by  the  occurrence  of  the 
word  Eden  or  pleasure,  to  introduce  an  allusion  to  the  earthly  Para- 
dise. But  it  is  of  little  moment,  as  the  heavenly  Paradise  is  certainly 
described  under  these  delightful  figures. 


PSALM   XXXVII. 


Against  the  sinner  burn  not  thou, 

Nor  eye  his  bloom  with  envious  mien  ; 

Like  meadow  flow'rs  it  soon  shall  bow, 
Or  wither  like  the  autumn's  green  : 

But  trust  in  God,  and  bear  thee  well, 

And  safe  in  peace  and  plenty  dwell ; 

7 


74  PSALM     XXXVII. 

Make  thy  delight  his  beav'nly  will, 

And  he  thy  heart's  desire  shall  fill. 

Commit  to  God  thy  cheerful  way, 

And  thou  shalt  see  thy  purpose  done  ; 
Thy  truth  shall  lighten  as  the  day, 

Thy  judgment  as  the  noontide  sun  : 
Direct  thy  silent  trust  on  high, 
And  wait  the  arm  that  rules  the  sky  ; 
And  envy  ne'er  the  prosp'rous  road 
That  guilty  pride  and  craft  have  show'd. 

Escape  from  passion's  jealous  flame, 

Nor  lift  for  ill  thy  wrathful  hand  ; 
The  proud  shall  perish  in  their  shame, 

The  saints  shall  hold  their  promis'd  land  : 
For  yet  a  little,  fleeting  while, 
And  thou  may'st  vainly  seek  the  vile  ; 
While  plenteous  peace  shall  smile  around 
The  meek  believer's  guarded  ground. 

Gnash  they  their  teeth,  the  impious  host, 

Against  the  just  their  counsels  raise  ; 
God  laughs  to  scorn  their  fruitless  boast, 

And  sees  the  dawn  of  vengeance  blaze  : 
High  be  their  sword,  and  bent  their  bow, 
To  bring  the  righteous  sufT'rer  low  ; 
Their  sword  shall  pierce  their  own  false  heart, 
Their  shiver'd  bow  let  fall  its  dart. 

In  righteous  gains,  though  poor  and  small, 

Is  wealth  beyond  iir  oppressor's  gold ; 
Th'  oppressor's  arm  shall  pow'rless  fall, 

And  God  ilie  righteous  step  uphold : 
Knows  he  and  loves  the  good  man's  ways, 
And  guards  him  on  till  endless  days  : 
O'er  such,  no  cloud  shall  peril  bring, 
And  famine  sees   them  feast  and  sing. 


PSALM     XXXVII.  75 

Like  smoke  that  o'er  the  altar  fumes, 

Where  bleeds  the  lamb,  and  bleeding  burns, 
So  time  the  hoarding  wretch  consumes, 

While  love's  free  gift  in  wealth  returns  : 
Most  strong  to  curse,  most  kind  to  bless, 
God  leads  the  just,  and  gives  success  ; 
And  though  they  fall,  they  yet  shall  stand, 
And  smiling  trust  th'  Almighty  hand. 

Ne'er,  while  from  youth  to  age  I  trod, 
For  all  that  path  was  mine  to  tread, 

Saw  I  the  righteous  left  of  God, 

Or  his  lorn  offspring  beg  for  bread  : 

O'er  bounteous  heads  all  favour  glows  ; 

Down  to  their  seed  the  blessing  flows  ; 

And  if  from  ill  thy  footstep  cease, 

Forever  shall  thy  house  be  peace. 

Peace  dwells  in  ev'ry  righteous  home  ; 

For  God's  strong  shield  his  saints  defends  : 
His  light  is  there  when  troubles  foam  ; 

On,  e'en  to  death  its  gleam  descends  : 
Quell'd  by  his  storms,  th'  ungodly  line, 
Like  blasted  branches,  -with'ring  pine, 
While,  on  the  land  by  promise  bless'd, 
The  upright  feet  have  glorious  rest. 

Rich  words  distils  the  good  man's  voice  ; 

There  truth  and  honey' d  wisdom  glide  : 
The  Lord's  pure  law  is  all  his  choice, 

His  patient  footsteps  never  slide  : 
Silent,  the  wicked  watch  his  way, 
And  fain  would  rise  to  seize  and  slay ; 
God  saves  him  from  their  ambush'd  pow'r, 
And  saves  in  judgment's  stormier  hour. 

Trust  thou  the  Lord  and  his  command  ; 
So,  when  the  bold  transgressor  dies, 


76  PSALM     XXXVIII. 

Thou,  lifted  in  thine  own  fair  land, 

Shalt  see,  as  saw  my  wond'ring  eyes  : 
Upward  I  saw  him  spread  his  fruit, 
And  fix  below  his  stately  root ; 
I  pass'd,  and  all  the  scene  was  bare  ; 
I  look'd,  nor  one  poor  leaf  was  there. 

Watch  thou  the  path,  where  walks  the  just ; 

Peace  hovers  o'er  his  holy  end  ; 
While,  mid  the  mass  of  common  dust, 

The  haughty  seed  their  ruins  blend  : 
Yet  not  his  arm  deliv'rance  brings  ; 
His  hope  to  God's  strong  succour  clings  ; 
And  as  he  hopes,  so  God  shall  give, 
And,  safe  from  foes,  his  soul  shall  live. 

NOTES.—"  A  Psalm  of  David."  It  is  the  third  of  the  acrostical 
Psalms,  and  forms  a  noble  didactic  poem.  Its  £>romises  are  under- 
stood as  having  their  fulfilment  in  eternity,  even  by  those  who  com- 
monly reject  such  interpretations  of  the  Old  Testament. 

Like  smoke  tliat  o'er  tlie  altar  fumes.  As  the  victims  were  taken 
from  the  fattest  of  the  flock,  so  the  guilty,  in  their  utmost  prosperity, 
are  most  ready  for  destruction. 

I  pass'd,  and  all  the  scene  was  bare.  This  is  the  reading  of  the  Sep- 
tuagint  and  Vulgate,  and  seems  preferable  to  the  Hebrew,  "fie 
passed/' 

Upward  I  saw  him  spread  his  fruit.  Let  the  reader  turn  to  the 
vision  of  Nebuchadnezzar  in  the  book  of  Daniel,     (iv.  10 — 14.) 


PSALM   XXXVIII. 

Lord,  not  in  wrath  my  sin  reprove, 
Nor  let  thy  stroke  in  vengeance  move  ; 
For,  fast  and  deep,  thy  shafts  descend, 
And  low  beneath  thine  arm  I  bend. 

No  healthful  spot  thine  anger  spares  ; 
No  limb  but  sin  its  lifestring  tears  ; 
High  o'er  my  bead  my  crimes  have  pass'd; 
I  cannot  bear  a  load  so  vast ! 


PSALM     XXXVIII.  77 

My  fest'ring  wounds,  with  loathsome  breath, 
Spread  wide  the  tale  of  sin  and  death  : 
I  bow,  I  sink,  and  all  jjie  day 
I  mourn  along  my  dismal  way. 

For,  deep  within,  I  feel  the  pest ; 

There  is  no  spot  of  health  or  rest : 

All  faint  and  crush'd,  aloud  I  cry, 

And  thou  hast  heard  each  anguish' d  sigh. 

Gone  the  firm  heart,  the  arm  of  might ; 
Gone  from  mine  eye  its  pleasant  light ; 
And  love  looks  on  with  sad  amaze, 
And  brethren  stand  afar  to  gaze. 

They  spread  their  snares,  who  seek  my  life  ; 
They  think  of  fraud,  and  utter  strife  ; 
While,  like  the  deaf,  I  close  mine  ear, 
And,  like  the  dumb,  nor  chide  nor  hear. 

For  I  will  wait  thy  shelt'ring  wing ; 
Oh,  answer  soon,  my  God,  my  King; 
Lest  thy  proud  foes  and  mine  shall  see, 
Shout  o'er  my  fall,  and  mock  at  thee. 

I  sink,  all  faint  with  ceaseless  pain  ; 
I  tell  my  sin,  and  mourn  its  chain  ; 
Yet  swell  my  foes'  blaspheming  throng, 
And  give  the  righteous  bitter  wrong. 

They  hate  me  for  my  upright  vow ; 

O  Lord  my  God,  depart  not  thou  ! 

Be  near  me  in  my  hour  of  need  ; 

My  Lord,  my  Saviour,  come  with  speed  ! 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  David,  for  remembrance. "  Perhaps  it 
received  this  title  on  account  of  the  design,  in  the  words  of  Grotius, 
"  to  inculcate  upon  David  a  perpetual  memory  of  his  sin  and  his 
pardon."  Perhaps  it  expresses,  however,  the  thought  that  such  a 
prayer  would,  in  the  midst  of  affliction,  "  come  up  as  a  memorial  be- 
fore God." 

One  of  the  heroes  of  the  American  revolution,  General  Herkimer, 
who  fell  in  the  bloody  fight  at  Oriskany,  was  laid  near  the  field  after 
7* 


7S  PSALM     XXXIX. 

he  had  received  his  mortal  wound ;  and  there,  calmly  and  fervently 
read  this  Psalm,  and  died. 

Lord,  not  in  wrath  nnj  sin  reprove.  The  beginning  corresponds 
with  that  of  thfl  sixth  Psalm,  except  JB  a  single  word. 

No  lunh,  but  sin  its  Ufatring  tears  If  bodily  Buffering!  are  here 
described,  which  is  very  doubtful,  they  are  all  traced  to  the  original 
cause,  our  common  sinfulness. 

And  love  looks  on  with  sad  amaze.  The  pathetic  complaints  of  Job 
will  be  readily  remembered.  Hardly  any  thing  could  be  more  dread- 
ful than  the  lot  of  one  who  was  banished  by  leprosy  or  some  other 
unclean  and  loathsome  disease,  from  the  society  of  his  nearest  friend:*, 
when  he  needed  it  most. 


PSALM   XXXIX. 

I  said,  "  my  mouth  shall  hold  its  guard  ; 
My  lips  shall  feel  their  portals  barr'd  ;" 
And  while  the  impious  hearken' d  round, 
Not  e'en  thy  praise  could  wake  a  sound  ; 
Till  the  pent  fire  a  passage  broke, 
And  thus  my  tortur'd  bosom  spoke. 

"  Lord,  let  me  know  my  length  of  days, 
And  where  shall  end  these  weary  ways  ! 
Lo,  thou  hast  made  my  years  a  span  ; 
So  frail  the  surest  step  of  man  ; 
While  here  he  walks  mid  shadows  vain, 
And  piles  for  unknown  hands  his  gain. 

Where,  then,  shall  hope  in  safety  wait, 
Where,  but  at  mercy's  beav'nly  gate  ? 
Oh,  save  me,  Lord,  from  sin  and  shame, 
Nor  let  thy  foes  revile  thy  name  ; 
But  mid  my  griefs,  I  meekly  bow, 
For  none  has  struck  the  blow  but  thou. 

Yet,  God  of  grace,  remove  thy  stroke  ; 
Beneath  thy  oand  my  strength  is  broke  : 
Oh,  when  tnou  send'sl  the  chast'ning  doom, 
How  swiftly  fades  our  beauty's  bloom, 


PSALM     XL.  79 

How  sinks  our  glory  and  our  toil, 
As  wastes  the  moth  his  fragile  spoil ! 

Lord,  hear  my  ciy  with  fav'ring  ears  ; 
In  pity  mark  my  swelling  tears  ; 
While,  like  my  fathers,  to  the  dead, 
A  pilgrim  stranger,  on  I  tread  : 
A  little  while,  my  strength  restore, 
Ere  men  shall  see  my  face  no  more  !" 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  for  Jeduthun,  a  Psalm  of 
David."  Jeduthun  is  mentioned  in  the  first  book  of  Chronicles,  as 
one  of  the  leaders  of  the  music  of  the  temple. 

For  none  has  struck  the  blow  bid  tlwu.  Calvin  is  said  to  have  often 
uttered  these  words,  in  his  last  illness. 

A  pilgrim  stranger  on  I  tread.  How  beautifully  does  this  har- 
monize with  the  statement  of  the  apostle  !  "  These  all  died  in  faith, 
not  having  received  the  promises,  but  having  seen  them  afar  off,  and 
were  persuaded  of  them,  and  embraced  them,  and  confessed  that 
they  were  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth.  For  they  that  say 
such  things  declare  plainly  that  they  seek  a  country."  (Heb.  xi. 
13,  14.) 


PSALM   XL. 

I  watch'd  and  waited  for  the  Lord, 

And  he  receiv'd  my  cry  ; 
And  brought  me  from  the  dungeon's  ward, 
And  rais'd  me  from  the  pit  abhorr'd, 

And  set  me  up  on  high. 

High  on  a  rock  he  set  my  feet, 

And  taught  my  voice  to  sing 
A  new-made  song,  so  loud  and  sweet, 
That  hosts  shall  hear  it,  and  repeat 

The  praises  of  my  King. 

How  bless'd  to  seek  his  shelt'ring  place, 

Nor  turn  at  falsehood's  call ! 
O  Lord  my  God,  thy  works  of  grace, 
Thy  thoughts  of  love,  oh,  who  can  trace, 

Oh,  who  can  count  them  all ! 


SO  PSALM     XL. 

Thou  wilt  not  victims  burn'd  for  guilt, 

The  guiltless  and  the  dumb ; 
Thou  wilt  not  votive  blood-drops  spilt, 
But  op' st  mine  ears  to  all  thou  wilt, 
And  therefore,  Lord,  I  come. 

I  come  to  follow  that  fair  chart, 

Thy  sacred  word  and  will ; 
'Tis  deep  engrav'd within  my  heart; 
My  lips  shall  all  thy  truth  impart, 

And  all  thy  praise  fulfil. 

My  lips  thy  truth  and  praise  shall  tell, 

Where  all  thy  people  throng  : 
Thou  know'st,  O  Lord,  how  boldly  swell, 
When  on  thy  saving  strength  they  dwell, 
My  heart,  and  harp,  and  song. 

Then,  Lord  my  God,  withhold  not  now 

Thy  stcdfast  truth  and  love  ! 
More  than  the  hairs  that  shade  my  brow, 
The  griefs  beneath  whose  load  I  bow, 
And  scarce  can  look  above. 

My  sins  around  my  bosom  cling, 

And  droops  my  captive  life : 
Oh,  come  with  speed  thy  mercy's  wing , 
Haste,  my  Deliv'rer  and  my  King, 
And  end  this  anxious  strife. 

Let  shame  and  trouble  whelm  them  all, 

Who  hem  my  guiltless  track: 
Let  them  who  ask  my  fatal  fall, 
And  loud  "  aha  !"   in  insult  call, 
Be  chas'd  in  ruin  back. 

Joy  be  with  them  who  joy  in  thee, 
Till  "God  be  pwris'cl !"  they  say: 

And  I,  thoitgfa  poor  and  lone  I  tier, 

Will  hope  the  Lord's  kind  arm  to  see: 
My  (Jod,  make  no  delay  ! 


PSALM     XLI.  SI 

NOTES. — "  For  die  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David."  In  the 
epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  a  portion  of  it  is  cited  as  the  words  of  the  in- 
carnate Saviour.  The  confessions  form  no  objection  to  this  inter- 
pretation, since  he  bore  the  sins  of  men,  and  bowed  under  the 
burden. 

But  op'st  mine  ear  to  all  tliou  wilt.  The  Septuagint  has,  "  a  body 
hast  thou  prepared  me  ;"  which  is  adopted  by  the  apostle.  (Heb.  x. 
5.)     But  it  seems  not  essential  to  the  argument  in  that  place. 

Let  shame  and  trouble  icliclm  them  all.  A  few  words  here  are  almost 
the  same  with  a  passage  in  the  thirty  -fifth  Psalm. 


PSALM   XLI. 

How  bless'd  the  man  who  loves  the  poor ! 
The  Lord  shall  keep  his  soul  secure, 
Shall  save  him  in  the  evil  day, 
And  guard  him  on  his  dang'rous  way. 

Thy  blessing  o'er  his  home  shall  smile, 
And  shield  his  breast  from  hostile  guile, 
And,  when  he  bows  his  sick'ning  head, 
Shall  comfort's  downy  pillow  spread. 

Such  mercy,  Lord,  on  me  bestow, 
And  heal  my  soul  from  guilt  and  woe  ; 
For  now  my  foes  blaspheming  cry, 
"  When  shall  his  name  behind  him  die  ?" 

And  if  they  come,  and  mark  my  pain, 
Their  treach'rous  words  are  cordials  vain  ; 
Their  inmost  heart  has  stor'd  deceit, 
And  spreads  it  through  the  swarming  street. 

Their  whispering  lips  of  evil  speak; 
They  boast  the  woes  they  long  to  wreak  ; 
"  Beneath  an  iron  grasp  he  lies  ; 
From  that  sad  bed  no  more  to  rise  !" 

E'en  he  who  seem'd  my  bosom  guide, 
So  long  belov'd  with  friendship  tried. 


PSALM     XLII. 

So  welcome  to  my  household  bread, 
He  litis  bis  heel,  to  stamp  my  head. 

Lift  thou  that  head,  thou  gracious  Lord, 
With  strength  to  yield  their  dread  reward: 

And,  since  not  yet  their  triumph  rings, 
I  know  thy  love  around  me  cK 

Thoukeep'st  my  blameless  steps  aright; 
In  peace  I  stand  beneath  thy  sight  : 

Bless'd  be  the  Lord,  our  Israel's  rest, 
Forever  and  forever  bless'd  ! 

Amen.    Amen. 

NOTES.— "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David." 

He  lifts  his  hed,  to  statu])  /ny  hind.  This  passage  is  mentioned  by 
our  Saviour  (Jolm  xiii.  lo.)  In  such  a  manner  as  to  confirm  the  opin- 
ion that,  in  all  the  Psalms.  \vt>  may  ju<tlv  trace  his  doctrine,  his  history, 
or  the  history  of  Ins  people.     It  is  applied  to  Judas  Iscariot. 

With  strmirtJt  to  y'uld  tluir  dread  rtttard.  A  wish  which,  under  the 
Gospel  at  least,  would  !>♦'  vtrong  in  a  private  individual,  might  be 
risrht  in  an  injured  king,  and  was  sublimely  just  in  the  rejected 
nesBjah. 

Amen.  Amen.  The  conclusion  of  the  first  of  the  five  books,  into 
which  the  Psalms  were  divided  by  the  Jews,  is  designated  by  this 
form  of  doxology. 


PSALM   XLII. 


As  the  hart  for  cooling  springs 

Pants  amidst  the  sultry  ehase, 
So  my  spirit,  King  of  Kir 

Pants  for  thy  refreshing  grace : 
God,  the  living  ( rod,  for  tnee 

Thirsts  and  pines  my  fainting  breast  J 
When  shall  I  thy  glory  & 

When  in  thv  fair  presence  rest? 

Tears  have  ird  me,  day  and  night, 
While,  beneath  the  mocking  tone, 


PSALM     XLII.  S3 

"  Where  is  now  thy  God  of  might?" 

Pours  my  heart  its  grief  alone  : 
For,  amidst  the  joyous  throng, 

Once  within  thy  courts  I  trod, 
With  the  voice  of  festal  song, 

With  the  people  of  my  God. 

Wherefore  bow'st  thou  down,  my  soul, 

Sighing  with  thy  load  of  care  ? 
Why  within  my  bosom  roll 

Threat'ning  waves  of  dark  despair  ? 
Trust  in  God,  and  wait  his  hour, 

Though  it  linger  yet  a  while  ; 
I  shall  praise  his  faithful  pow'r, 

Praise  my  God's  preserving  smile. 

Lord,  for  thee  my  soul  has  sigh'd, 

Looking  tow'rds  thy  holy  place, 
Here,  from  Jordan's  distant  tide, 

Here,  from  Hermon's  humbler  base  : 
Deep  to  deep  is  calling  hoarse  ; 

Far  the  torrent  troubles  spread  ; 
And  their  billows'  gather' d  force 

Bursts  above  my  sinking  head. 

Yet  the  Lord  shall  shine  by  da}', 

Yet  by  night  shall  iill  my  strain : 
To  the  Lord,  my  life,  I  pray, 

To  the  Lord,  my  rock,  complain  ; 
Why,  forgotten,  roam  I  here, 

While  the  shout  pursues  my  flight, 
Piercing,  like  a  blade,  mine  ear, 

"  Where  is  now  thy  God  of  might  ?" 

Wherefore  bow'st  thou  down,  my  soul, 

Sighing  with  thy  load  of  care  ? 
Why  within  my  bosom  roll 

Threat'ning  waves  of  dark  despair  ? 


B4  PSALM     XLIII. 

Tni8tin  God,  and  wail  his  hour, 

Though  it  linger  yet  b  while  ; 
I  shall  praise  his  faithful  pow'r, 

Praise  my  God's  preserving  smile. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  an  Ode  of  the  sons  of  Korah." 
From  the  posterity  of  Korah,  the  conspirator  against  Moses,  a  com- 
pany of  singers  and  musicians  was  formed  in  the  days  of  David,  for 
the  service  of  the  temple.  To  these  are  ■scribed ten  Psalms,  almost 
all  of  them  amongst  the  most  beautiful  in  the  whole  collection;  and 
they  were  probably  the  composition  of  some  one  or  more  of  the  chief 
persons  of  this  family.  Bishop  Patrick,  however,  assigns  some  of 
them  to  David. 

This  Psalm  is  apparently  the  lamentation  of  a  pious  Israelite,  afar 
from  the  sanctuary  of  God,  and  in  the  midst  of  enemies.  Or  else,  it 
is  the  language  of  a  devout  spirit,  in  a  season  of  inward  conflict  and 
anxiety.  This  last  application  may  at  least  be  allowed  to  a  Christian; 
audit  was  in  such  a  sense  that  Bullinger  made  this  Psalm  his  dying 
words. 

Tears  have  fed  me  day  and  night.     So  Ovid, 
"  Cura  dolorque  animi  lachryma?que  alimenta  fuere." 
Care,  grief  and  tears  sad  nourishment  supplied.     Met.  L.  10. 

Threatening  wares  of  dark  despair.  The  word  denotes  originally 
a  noise  and  roaring  like  that  of  the  waves,  and  is  very  expressive  of 
the  conflict  of  troubled  emotions. 

Here,  from  Herman's  kumblerbast.  Ilermon  or  Anti-Libanus.  with 
its  whole  lofty  range,  is  called  humble,  in  comparison  with  the  holy 
majesty  of  Mount  Sion.  The  former  embraced  the  sources  of  the 
Jordan. 


PSALM   XLIII. 


Judge  me,  God  whom  worlds  obey, 

Wage  my  war  and  guard  my  life, 
From  the  Sinner's  cruel  sway, 

From  the  hosts  of  fraud  and  strife  : 
Thou  art  still  my  God  and  tow'r ; 

Wherefore  roam  I  thus  forlorn, 
Cast  from  thine  embracing  pow'r, 

List'ning  to  th1  oppressor's  scorn  ? 

Send,  oli  send  thy  truth  and  light  j 
Let  them  lead  my  weary  feet, 


PSALM     XLIV.  S-3 

To  thy  mountain's  holy  height, 

To  thy  temple's  tented  seat : 
There,  before  thine  altar's  fire, 

At  my  joy's  celestial  spring, 
I  will  sweep  the  sounding  lyre 

To  the  praises  of  my  King. 

Wherefore  bow'st  thou  down,  my  soul, 

Sighing  with  thy  load  of  care  ? 
Why  within  my  bosom  roll 

Threat'ning  waves  of  dark  despair  ? 
Trust  in  God,  and  wait  his  hour, 

Though  it  linger  yet  a  while  ; 
I  shall  praise  his  faithful  pow'r, 

Praise  my  God's  preserving  smile. 

NOTES. — This  Psalm  is  without  superscription ;  and,  from  the 
nature  of  its  contents,  and  especially  the  repetition  of  the  same  chorus, 
is  undoubtedly  to  be  regarded  as  a  continuation,  if  not  as  a  part,  of 
the  preceding.  In  many  manuscripts,  it  is  in  fact  connected  with  it, 
as  one  continuous  ode.  The  last  act  of  St.  Ambrose  was  to  dictate 
an  exjjositionofthis  Psalm,  which  he  left  imperfect. 

TJiere,  before  thine  altar 's  fire.  The  utmost  j  oy  of  the  pious  Hebrew 
must  have  been,  to  present  his  sacrifice  at  the  altar  of  burnt-offering. 
Our  thoughts  ascend  naturally  from  thence  to  the  spring  of  all  joy,  the 
presence  of  God  above. 


PSALM   XLIV. 


Lord,  we  have  heard  from  ancient  years, 
Our  fathers  taught  our  infant  ears, 
Thy  wonders  wrought  in  ages  old, 
And  on,  through  rolling  ages  told  ; 

How,  from  the  land  thy  promise  gave, 
Thine  arm  the  heathen  banners  drave, 
And  deep  the  root  of  Israel  cast, 
And  spread  his  branches  to  the  blast. 

Not  his  own  sword  the  battle  fought, 
Not  his  own  hand  deliv' ranee  wrought ; 


SG  PSALM     XL  IV. 

Thy  smile  above  his  armies  shin'd, 
And  they  were  strong,  for  thou  wast  kind. 

Still,  God  of  hosts,  art  thou  our  King  ; 
Oh,  still  thine  Israel's  succour  bring: 
Through  thee  we  push  the  wav'ring  foe, 
Through  thy  strong  name  we  tread  them  low. 

I  will  not  trust  my  bow  or  blade  ; 

Thou,  thou  hasl  driv'n  their  bands  dismay'd: 

In  God  our  boast  on  high  we  raise, 

And  shout  our  Saviour's  endless  praise. 

But  thou  hast  cast  thy  people  off, 
And  they  must  hear  th'  oppressor's  scoff; 
Thou  lead'st  no  more  our  weak  array  ; 
We  flee,  we  fall,  a  helpless  prey. 

Like  flocks  for  food,  our  tribes  have  bled, 
Or  slaves  in  distant  realms  are  led  ; 
To  Gentile  hands,  and  not  for  gold, 
The  Lord  his  chosen  race  has  sold. 

The  shout  of  scorn  is  ringing  near  ; 

The  heathen's  laugh  is  in  our  ear  ; 

They  make  our  name  their  proverb's  strain, 

And  shake  the  head  in  loud  disdain. 

Shame  bows  mine  eye,  where'er  it  turns ; 
With  shame  my  cheek  unceasing  burns ; 
Because  the  foes  of  God  rejoice, 
The  bold  blasphemer  lifts  his  voice. 

So  dark  has  come  our  weary  lot ; 
Yet  is  not,  Lord,  thy  name  forgot ; 
Thy  cov'nant's  bond  we  ne'er  belied, 
Nor  turn'd  our  heart  or  feet  aside. 

Oh,  could  we  e'er  that  name  disown, 
And  spread  our  hands  to  gods  unknown, 


PSALM     XLIV.  S7 

Where  slept  the  eye,  whose  piercing  view 
Looks  all  the  soul's  deep  secrets  through  ? 

Yet,  crush'd  we  lie  where  dragons  tread ; 
And  death's  dim  shades  are  round  us  spread : 
All  day  for  thee  we  yield  our  life, 
Like  flocks  that  wait  the  slaught'ring  knife. 

Awake,  O  Lord  :  why  sleeps  thine  eye  ? 
Arise,  nor  cast  us  off  to  die  ! 
Why  hides  thy  smile  its  golden  light, 
While  scorn  and  sorrow  load  the  night  ? 

In  dust  our  soul  bows  down  and  grieves  ; 
Prone  to  the  earth  our  body  cleaves  : 
Oh,  for  thine  own  dear  mercy's  sake, 
To  our  redemption,  Lord,  awake  ! 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  an  Ode  of  the  sons  of  Korah." 
It  bears  the  signs  of  an  age  of  national  distress;  but  was  probably 
written  before  the  Babylonian  captivity. 

Our  fatlicrs  taught  our  infant  ears.  The  custom  was  expressly 
commanded,  that  the  father  should  relate  to  his  children  the  wonder- 
ful interpositions  of  God  on  behalf  of  the  seed  of  Abraham.  So  the 
seventy-eighth  Psalm ; 

"  He  established  a  testimony  in  Jacob, 

And  appointed  a  law  in  Israel, 

Which  he  commanded  our  fathers, 

That  they  should  make  them  known  to  their  children." 

But  thou  hast  cast  thy  people  off.  From  the  language  of  praise  for 
ancient  mercies,  the  Psalmist  sinks,  with  a  transition  full  of  feeling,  to 
his  lament  over  the  calamities  of  his  nation.  Well  may  this  Psalm  be 
often  upon  the  lips  of  the  Jews,  in  their  present,  long  dispersion 
through  all  lands. 

To  Gentile  Juinds,  and  not  for  gold.  The  Lord  is  represented  as  a 
merchant,  esteeming  his  people  of  so  little  value  as  to  sell  them  at  a 
price  which  was  not  to  be  named ;  or  even  to  part  with  them  for 
naught. 

Yet  is  not,  Lord,  thy  name  forgot.  They  had  not  apostatized  to  the 
service  of  idols.  It  could  not  enter  the  thoughts  of  the  Psalmist  to 
deny  that  their  calamities  were  the  issue  of  their  sins. 

Yet  crush'd  we  lie,  where  dragons  tread.  The  original  word  is  employ- 
ed to  designate  any  monstrous  and  terrible  animals,  whether  of  the  land 
or  sea.  Here,  these  are  probably  introduced,  as  descriptive  of  a  wild 
and  dangerous  region,  the  image  of  deep  adversity.     Mr.  Green  sup- 


S3  PSALM     XLV. 

poses  a  literal  meaning  :  u  to  nfeefabfe  captives  wore  sent  by  their 
conquerors,  to  people  and  cultivate  die  desolate  parts  of  Assyna, 
which  were  the  habitation  of  serDetts  and  other  noxious  reptiles, 
whose  sting  and  bite  were  mortal 

AUdau  fur  tl«<  mm  Md  our  h/<  .  Bt  Paul  (Rom.  viii.  30.)  adopts 
these  words  as  a  general  illustration  of  the  state  of  the  persecuted  ser- 
vants of  God. 


PSALM   XLV. 


My  heart  overflows  its  gushing  fount, 
My  tongue  makes  haste  to  sing, 

And,  like  a  scribe's  swift  pen,  recount 
High  praises  to  my  King. 

Thou  fairer  than  the  sons  of  man, 
Thy  lips  bedew'd  with  peace, 

Sobless'd  of  God  ere  time  began, 
So  bless'd  when  time  shall  cease  ! 

Gird  on  thy  thigh  thy  conqu'ring  blade, 

Majestic  Prince  of  might ! 
Ride  prosp'ring  on,  in  pomp  array'd, 

Meek  Lord  of  truth  and  right ! 

Thy  strong  right  hand  shall  point  thy  path 
Where  vict'ry's  terrors  speed  ; 

And  banded  hearts  thai  dare  thy  wrath 
On  thy  sharp  shafts  shall  bleed. 

Forever  and  forever  sure, 

Thy  throne,  O  God,  remains  ; 
A  sceptre  linn,  while  worlds  endure, 

Thy  righteous  sceptre  reigns. 

Truth  was  thy  love,  and  sin  thy  hate, 

And  therefore  on  thy  head 
Hath  God,  thy  God,  in  matchless  state, 

The  oil  of  gladness  shed. 


PSALM     XLV.  89 

Thy  robes  the  aloes  rich  perfumes, 

And  myrrh,  and  cassia  sweet ; 
And  songs  from  iv'ry  palace-rooms 

Thy  princely  presence  greet. 

And  maids,  of  many  a  royal  line, 

With  thy  belov'd  one  stand, 
Where,  crown' d  fromOphir's  distant  mine, 

She  smiles  at  thy  right  hand. 

Daughter  of  kings,  incline  thine  ear; 

Forget  thy  father's  hall : 
The  King,  thy  Lord,  has  thee  most  dear  ; 

Oh,  love  him  more  than  all ! 

Tyre's  glitt'ringtow'rs  their  gift  shall  send, 

Thy  nuptial  pomp  to  grace  ; 
And  Gentile  lords  shall  lowly  bend, 

And  sue  thy  fav'ring  face. 

Within,  how  fair  the  queenly  bride  ! 

In  robes  with  gold  inwrought, 
She  comes  all  glorious  to  thy  side, 

By  circling  virgins  brought. 

With  songs  and  joy  thy  courts  they  tread, 

And  heirs  of  royal  birth 
To  ev'ry  land  thy  race  shall  spread, 

And  rule  the  happy  earth. 

Beyond  thy  fathers'  storied  page 

Shall  glow  thy  children's  day  ; 
And  tribes  and  realms,  from  age  to  age, 

Shall  join  my  votive  lay. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician  on  the  six-stringed  harp,  an 
Ode,  a  Song  of  Love,  by  the  sons  of  Korah."  The  mystical  inter- 
pretation of  this  Psalm,  as  addressed  to  the  Messiah,  and  describing 
his  union  with  his  Church,  was  adopted  by  the  ancient  Jews,  and  is 
confirmed  in  the  epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  (i.  8,  9.)  In  the  words 
employed  by  Bishop  Patrick,  "  behold,  a  greater  than  Solomon  is 
here."  Bishop  Horsley  has  proved,  that  it  has  not  even  a  primary 
reference  to  Solomon. 
8* 


90  TSALM     XLVI. 

The  oil  of  gladness  shed. 

"  Postquam  oleo  gavisacuti 

Statins,  Thcb.  L.G.v.  847. 
When  now  with  gladd'ning  oil  the  skin  rejoie'd. 

Thy  robes  the  aloes  rich  pi  rf units.  Modern  manners  give  ns  no  con- 
ception of  the  costliness  of  perfume  with  which  the  princes  of  the 
East  were  sprinkled,  on  occasions  of  pomp  and  festivity. 

And  §OngS  from  ury  palace -rooms.  The  exaet  meaning  of  this 
passage  is  not  clear ;  but  that  which  is  here  given  is  plausible  and 
elegant. 

Ahabhadan  ivory  palace  (1  Kings  xxii.  39.)i  and  the  prophet 
Amos  (iii.  15.)  speaks  of  houses  of  ivory.  Their  chambers  were 
probably  much  adorned  with  that  iubstanee,  richly  inlaid  ;  which  thus 
gave  a  name  to  the  whole  edifice.  Menelaus,  in  the  Odyssey  (iv.  72, 
73.)  has  a  palace  of  this  description. 

Xgv<rov  r'qXeKTgcv  re,  xii  agyugov  w    ete<pcti>Tof 
Sounding  domes  on  high, 
Silver  and  gold,  line  gold  and  ivory. 
Tyre's  glittering  towWs  tlieir  gift  shall  send.     Tyre  is  the  representa- 
tive of  the  wealth  and  commerce  of  the  world. 

By  circling  virgins  brought.  It  was  amongst  the  nuptial  customs  of 
those  lands  Tn  which  the  scene  of  this  description  is  found,  that  the 
bride  should  thus  be  led  forth  from  the  house  of  her  father,  with  her 
companions,  and  conducted  by  the  bridegroom  and  his  associates  to 
his  own  home,  with  the  sound  of  music  and  song. 


PSALM   XLVI. 


God  is  our  refuge  and  our  tow'r, 

Our  aid  forever  near  : 
Though  earth  should  quake,  and  ocean  low'r, 

Yet  shall  not  Sion  fear. 

Though  mountains,  sever' d  from  the  shore, 
Fall  thund'ring  through  the  deep; 

Though  wild  the  waters  rave  and  roar, 
And  shake  the  rocky  steep. 

A  gentler  stream,  with  gladd'ning  tide, 

Shall  God's  fair  city  lave, 
And,  where  the  Highest's  tents  abide, 

Shall  send  its  silver  wave. 


PSALM     XL  VI  I.  91 

God,  in  her  midst,  with  guardian  might, 

Defends  her  lowliest  bow'r  ; 
And  sure  and  soon  as  morning's  light, 

God  sends  her  succ'ring  hour. 

The  heathen  rag'd,  but  earth's  wide  coasts 

His  voice  dissolves  with  fear  : 
Our  shelter  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 

And  Jacob's  God  is  here. 

Oh,  come,  his  peaceful  vict'ries  know, 

His  wonders  near  and  far  ; 
He  cuts  the  spear,  he  breaks  the  bow, 

He  burns  the  warlike  car. 

Hark,  how  he  quells  the  heathen's  boasts, 

And  sways  the  earthly  sphere : 
Our  shelter  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 

And  Jacob's  God  is  here. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Song  of  the  sons  of  Korah, 
with  virgin  voices."  This  translation  of  the  last  word  is,  however,  no 
more  than  one  conjecture  amongst  several.  It  is  generally  known 
that  this  Psalm  was  the  favourite  one  of  the  indomitable  Luther. 

Though  mountains  sever' d  from  the  shore.  The  thought  of  Horace 
is  similar ; 

"  Si  fractus  illabatur  orbis, 
Impavidum  ferient  ruinae." 

Carm.  iii.  3,  7. 
Though  nature  fall,  in  ruins  spread, 
Her  ruins  strike  a  fearless  head. 
Shall  send  its  silver  wave.     See  Isaiah,  (viii.  6.) 
"This  people  refuseth 
The  waters  of  Shiloah  that  go  softly." 


PSALM   XLVIL 

O  all  ye  nations,  clap  your  hands, 
And  let  your  shouts  of  vict'ry  ring, 

To  praise  the  Lord  of  all  your  lands, 
The  broad  creation's  awful  King. 


92  PSALM     XLVIII. 

He  treads  the  realms  beneath  our  feet, 

He  breaks  the  hostile  armies  down, 

And  gives  and  guards  his  chosen  seatj 

The  home  of  Jacob's  old  renown. 

God  is  gone  up  with  shouting  throngs  ; 

Before  him  peal'd  the  trumpet's  call : 
Oh,  sing  to  God  with  lofty  songs  ; 

Sing  praises  to  the  Lord  of  all ! 

Oh,  sing  to  God  a  royal  strain, 

To  earth's  high  King  a  raptur'd  cry  : 

God  o'er  the  nations  spreads  his  reign, 
God  lifts  his  holy  seat  on  high. 

The  heirs  "of  many  a  Gentile  throne 

With  God's  and  Abraham's  seed  adore : 

The  shields  of  earth  are  all  his  own, 
And  high  as  heav'n  his  glories  soar. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah." 
Whether  it  was  composed  for  the  dedication  of  the  temple,  or  on  any 
other  festival  occasion,  it  is  impossible  to  decide  ;  hut  it  can  hardly  be 
read,  without  being  referred,  in  its  highest  allusion,  to  the  ascension 
of  the  Saviour. 

God  is  gone  up  with  shouting  throngs.  The  Son  of  God,  returning 
to  his  heavenly  throne,  with  all  the  pomp  of  a  conqueror,  is  welcomed 
by  the  songs  and  harps  of  heaven,  and  shall  soon  receive  the  praises 
of  all  the  earth. 


PSALM   XLVIII. 

Great  is  the  Lord,  and  well  lie  waits 
The  song  of  worthiest  skill, 

Where  Cod's  own  city  lifts  her  gates, 
Where  tow'rs  his  holy  hill. 

The  joy  of  earth,  from  fax  descried, 
Is  Sion's  beauteous  height, 

Where  gleams  along  her  northern  side 
Thy  fortress,  King  of  might ! 


PSALM     XLVIII.  93 

The  Lord  is  known  within  her  tow'rs, 

Of  old  their  bulwark  fast : 
Kings,  like  the  storm,  led  on  their  pow'rs, 

And,  like  the  storm,  they  pass'd. 

They  saw,  they  wonder'd,  fear'd  and  fled : 

So  travailing  mothers  wail ; 
So  burst  the  sails  for  Tarshish  spread, 

Beneath  thine  eastern  gale. 

Our  eyes  have  seen,  what  once  was  told, 

Of  God's  embattled  wall : 
The  Lord  of  Hosts  has  there  his  hold, 

And  not  a  stone  shall  fall. 

O  God,  we  think  thy  goodness  o'er 

Within  thy  temple  dear  ; 
And,  like  thy  name,  our  praise  would  soar, 

Till  earth's  wide  bounds  shall  hear. 

A  sceptre  just  thy  hand  sustains  ; 

A  shield  thy  judgments  bring : 
Let  Sion  lift  her  loudest  strains, 

Let  Judah's  maidens  sing ! 

Go  round  the  tow'rs  on  Sion's  mount, 

Mark  how  they  greet  the  sun ; 
Her  palace  portals  note  and  count, 

Her  bulwarks,  one  by  one ; 

And  tell  to  ev'ry  future  day, 

So  God,  our  God,  defends  ; 
So  guides  his  people's  peaceful  way, 

Till  death  in  vict'ry  ends. 

NOTES.—"  A  Song  and  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah."  It  is  a 
beautiful  picture  of  the  security  of  the  church  of  God. 

JV/ierc  gleams  along  its  northern  side.  Reland  is  of  opinion,  that  the 
Mount  Sion,  in  strictness,  was  in  the  southern  part  of  Jerusalem  ;  but 
that  it  was  by  far  the  highest  part,  and  sustained  upon  its  northern 
side  the  chief  portion  of  the  city.  The  southern  side  of  this  mount 
was  surrounded  by  a  high  wall  and  a  deep  valley ;  but  the  northern 


94  PSALM     XLIX. 

descended  towards  the  inferior  hill  of  Acre,  with  all  the  magnificence 
ofa  stately  metropolis.  Mount  Moriali,  also,  the  site  of  the  temple, 
is  sometimes kllOWI]  as  a  part  of  .Mount  SlOll,  and  called  by  the  same 
name  :  and  it  WM  north-west  from  the  hill  itself.  Sion,  however, 
'•  the  city  of  the  great  King/1  whether  with  or  without  Moriah,  is 
described  in  this  verse  ;  and  Lightfoot  actually  makes  it  the  northern 
hill. 

So  burst  tin  soilsjbr  T<ir*hisJt  spread.  Tarshish  is  supposed  to  have 
been  in  Spain.  As  this  voyage  required  the  largest  \  esseli  that  were 
then  known,  all  vessels  of  great  size  came  to  he  called  ships  of  Tar- 
slush      The  east  wind  is  mentioned  in  Scripture  as  peculiarly  violent. 


PSALM    XLIX. 

Hearken,  nations  far  and  near, 
Dwellers  of  the  world,  give  ear ; 
All  in  high  and  lordly  state, 
All  of  poor  and  lowly  fate  : 
From  my  lips  shall  knowledge  stream, 
Wisdom  is  my  bosom's  theme  ; 
Sayings  deep  mine  ear  inspire, 
Sayings  dark  attune  my  lyre. 

Wherefore  should  I  sink  with  fear, 
Though  the  evil  day  be  here, 
And  the  proud  supplanter's  heel 
Pressing  on  my  step  I  feel  ? 
They  that  boast  their  wealth  untold, 
They  that  trust  their  treasur'd  gold, 
None  can  bid  his  brother  live, 
None  to  God  a  ransom  give. 

Sad  they  see  their  la  hour  o'er, 
For  the  ransom's  price  was  more, 
That  with  endless  life  could  save, 
Closing  fast  the  conquer'd  grave  ; 
For,  beneath  their  humbled  eye, 
Lo,  the  wise  and  foolish  die  ; 
And  their  treasure* 8  glittering  heap 
Other  hands  in  turn  shall  keep. 


PSALM     XL  IX.  95 

Fondly  hopes  their  dreaming  heart 
Splendours  never  to  depart ; 
Houses,  on  their  rocky  base 
Resting  firm  from  race  to  race  ; 
Yet  shall  many  a  broad  domain 
Bear  their  mighty  name  in  vain  : 
Man,  in  pomp,  shall  ne'er  abide, 
Dying  as  the  beast  has  died. 

Still  behind  them  pours  a  crowd, 
Echoing  still  their  follies  proud  ; 
Till,  like  flocks,  their  bones  are  spread, 
And  the  grave  is  richly  fed  : 
Then,  above  their  couch  forlorn 
Dawns  the  upright's  triumph  morn  ; 
Then  shall  God  my  soul  release, 
Then  shall  take  me  home  in  peace. 

Fear  not  thou  the  proud  man's  bloom  ; 
Naught  shall  follow  to  the  tomb  : 
Though  through  all  his  prosp'rous  days 
Gave  the  world  its  selfish  praise, 
With  his  sires,  in  darkness  deep, 
He  shall  find  inglorious  sleep. 
Man,  in  pomp,  will  ne'er  be  wise, 
Dying  as  the  beast  that  dies. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Koran." 
It  is  similar  to  the  thirty-seventh  in  its  purport  and  character. 

None  can  bid  his  brother  lice.  This  is  a  common  sentiment  of  the 
ancient  poets,  and  one  which,  in  the  darkness  of  heathenism,  could 
not  but  oppress  the  most  joyful  mind.  How  much  more  intense 
must  be  its  power  over  the  man  who  is  without  hope  beyond  this 
world,  even  under  the  bright  beams  of  the  Gospel ! 

Till,  lilce  flocks,  their  bones  arc  spread.  They  fall,  as  undistinguished 
in  death  or  a  little  after,  as  the  humblest  animals,  who  are  reckoned 
only  in  herds.  Merrick  has  well  extended  the  figure,  which  was  not 
unknown  to  the  ancient  classic  writers. 

"  Together  now  behold  them  laid, 

As  sheep  when  night  extends  her  shade, 

While  death,  within  the  vaulted  rock, 

Stern  shepherd,  guards  the  slumb'ring  flock." 


00  PSALM     L. 

Naught  shall  follow  to  the  tomb.     So  Propertius,  Eleg.  iii.  3,  35. 
u  Hand  ullas  portahis  opes  Acherontis  ad  undas." 
"Thou  bear's!  DO  wealth  to  Acheron's  dark  shore." 

Man,  in  pomp,  trill  n<  '<  r  be  icise.  The  cliange  of  a  single  letter  in 
the  original  nukes  the  difference  of  sentiment  between  this  line  and 
the  former ; 

Man,  in  pomp,  shall  ne'er  abide. 


PSALM    L. 

God,  God  the  Lord,  from  far  hath  spoke, 

From  peerless  Sion  shining  : 
Earth  hears  his  call,  where  morning  broke, 

Where  evening  fades  declining  : 
He  comes  not  silent,  but  with  sound 
Of  mighty  tempest  sweeping  round, 

And  flames  his  pathway  lining. 

He  calls  the  hcav'n,  he  bids  the  dust 

Its  peopling  myriads  waken; 
"Bring  all  whoown'd  my  cov'nant  just, 

With  vows  and  offerings  taken  :" 
God  comes  on  judgment's  cloudy  car; 
The  heav'ns  shall  tell  his  justice  far, 

By  echoing  thunders  shaken. 

"Hear,  O  my  people,  hear  the  voice 
Of  Israel's  Sov'reign  pleading; 

Of  God, thy  God,  by  righl  and  choice, 
But  not  thy  victims  needing: 

Thy  foiling  snrine  I  will  not  blame, 

Nor  ask  a  firstling  for  ili<4  ilamc, 
Nor  flocks  nor  bullocks  bleeding. 

The  forest  beasts  obey  my  will, 

The  mountain  herds  my  pleasure ; 
The  bird's  wild  Bight  o'erwood  and  hill 

From  me  receives  its  measure  ; 


PSALM     L.  97 

If  I  could  hunger,  not  from  thee 
The  Lord  of  earth  and  air  and  sea 
Would  seek  their  ready  treasure. 

Can  slaughter' d  bulls  my  food  impart, 

My  drink  the  he-goat  gory  ? 
Give  to  thy  God  thine  upright  heart, 

And  spread  thy  thankful  story  ; 
And  call  my  name  in  trouble's  hour, 
And  I  will  send  my  rescuing  pow'r, 

And  thou  shalt  give  me  glory." 

But  to  the  wicked  thus  saith  God  ; 

"  Why  name  thy  lips  profaning 
The  word  thy  feet  in  scorn  have  trod, 

My  cov'nant  sworn  disdaining  ? 
The  thief,  th'  adult' rer,  thou  hast  met, 
And  sate,  and  fram'd  thy  treach'rous  net, 

Thy  brother's  step  enchaining. 

Thou  deem'd'st  like  thine  my  silent  care, 

But  I  thine  eye  will  lighten  : 
Hear,  ye  that  scorn,  lest  vengeance  tear, 

And  no  deliv'rer  frighten  : 
He  offers  well  who  offers  praise, 
And  o'er  the  man  of  upright  ways 

Shall  my  salvation  brighten." 

NOTES.— "  A  Psalm  of  Asaph."  He  is  named  as  the  author  of 
twelve  Psalms,  and  was  the  chief  amongst  the  sacred  musicians  and 
poets  of  the  days  of  David.  The  sublimity  of  style  and  thought  in 
this  Psalm  is  worthy  of  so  honoured  a  name. 

But  not  thy  victims  needing.  The  prophets  repeatedly  urge  the  in- 
efficacy  of  all  sacrifices  and  observances,  without  the  piety  of  the 
heart.  This  caution  was  peculiarly  necessary,  under  a  system  that 
required  so  much  of  outward  attention  as  the  law  of  Moses. 

But  to  the  tricked  thus  saith  God.  Origen,  it  is  said,  reading  these 
words  in  the  church  after  having  fallen  into  sin,  was  so  wounded  that 
he  sat  down  and  wept,  and  all  the  congregation  wept  with  him. 

And  no  deliverer  frighten.     The  metaphor  is  of  course  taken  from 
the  furious  onset  of  a  lion,  or  other  wild  beast,  from  whom  no  power 
can  snatch  its  prey. 
9 


9S  PSALM     LI. 


PSALM   LI. 


Be  gracious,  Lord,  as  grace  is  thine, 
As  love  is  all  thy  heart  divine  ; 
Blot  out  the  ill  thine  eyes  have  seen, 
And  wash  my  guilty  spirit  clean. 

I  own  my  sin  :  before  my  sight 
It  always,  always,  glares  in  light : 
Thee,  thee  alone,  my  crimes  defied, 
And  thou  wert  just,  though  I  had  died  ! 

From  sin  I  drew  this  seed  of  death  ; 
In  sin  my  mother  gave  me  breath  : 
But  spotless  truth  thou  seek'st  within  ; 
Then,  cleanse  the  inmost  fount  of  sin. 

Purge  me  with  hyssop,  steep'd  on  high, 
And  all  my  leprous  taint  shall  fly  ; 
And  wash  me  where  thy  mercies  flow, 
And  I  shall  mock  the  mountain  snow. 

Mine  ears  with  joyous  tidings  fill, 
Till  all  my  aching  bones  shall  thrill : 
Turn  far  away  thy  wrathful  look ; 
And  blot  my  trespass  from  thy  book. 

Create  my  heart  anew  and  pure, 
And  give  a  spirit  right  unci  sure  ; 
Nor  cast  me  trembling  from  thy  sight, 
Nor  wing  thy  Holy  Spirit's  flight. 

Send  thy  salvation's  joy  once  more, 
And  thy  free  Spirit's  help  restore  : 

Then  sinners  from  my  lips  shall  learn, 
And  on  my  steps  to  thee  return. 

O  God,  my  God  and  Saviour,  save 

My  soul  from  guilt's  dark,  blood-red  wave; 


PSALM     LI.  99 


And  ope  my  lips,  and  I  shall  sing 
Sweet  praise  to  thee,  my  righteous  King ! 

Thou  seek' st  not  victims  at  the  shrine, 
Else  should  thine  altar  smoke  with  mine  ; 
A  broken  heart  delights  thine  ej^es, 
A  contrite  heart  for  sacrifice. 

Be  gracious,  Lord,  when  Sion  calls, 
And  build  on  high  thy  Salem's  walls  : 
Then,  off'rings  just  thy  love  shall  see, 
And  all  our  wealth  shall  rise  to  thee. 


NOTES.—"  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David,  when  Na- 
than the  prophet  came  to  him,  after  he  had  gone  in  to  Bathsheba." 
There  is  no  reason  for  rejecting  this  date,  which  corresponds  entirely 
with  the  character  of  the  Psalm. 

Amongst  our  fathers,  before  and  immediately  after  the  Reforma- 
tion, this  Psalm  was  very  often  recited  in  the  anticipation  of  ap- 
proaching death,  especially  on  the  scaffold.  Thus,  GEcolampadius, 
in  his  last  moments,  repeated  it  from  beginning  to  end,  added,  "  save 
me,  O  Christ  my  Saviour,"  and  expired.  Sir  Thomas  More,  Lady 
Jane  Grey,  the  Earl  of  Essex,  and  others,  are  related  to  have  said  it 
before  their  execution. 

Thee,  thee  alone,  my  crimes  defied.  David  had  awfully  sinned 
against  Uriah  and  against  many  others ;  but  the  guilt  of  his  transgres- 
sion, as  committed  against  God,  excludes,  for  the  moment,  every 
other  thought. 

Purge  me  icith  hyssop,  steep 7/  on  high.  When  a  leper  was  cleansed, 
two  birds  were  taken,  with  cedar  wood,  scarlet  and  hyssop ;  one  of 
the  birds  was  killed  over  a  vessel  of  water ;  the  living  bird,  with  the 
cedar,  scarlet  and  hyssop,,  was  then  dipped  in  the  blood ;  the  leper 
was  sprinkled,  and  the  bird  let  loose.  The  hyssop  was  a  small,  bitter 
herb,  apparently  chosen  because  it  possessed  some  cleansing  virtues. 

And  thy  free  Spirit's  help  restore.  The  Septuagint  has  mevpart 
frysftoviKa  ;  the  Vulgate,  "  spiritu  principals "  Luther  has  well  trans- 
lated it,  "  der  freudige  Geist."  Not  less  happy  is  the  thought  in  "  the 
Christian  Year;" 

"  With  that  free  Spirit  blest, 
Who  to  the  contrite  can  dispense 
The  princely  joy  of  innocence." 

O  God,  my  God  and  Saviour,  save.  These  concluding  verses,  as  is 
intimated  by  Bishop  Law,  will  be  the  prayer  of  the  Jews,  when  the 
veil  shall  be  taken  from  their  hearts. 


100  PSALM     LI  I. 

And  Luild  on  hi^li  tlnj  Satan's  walls.  It  is  difficult  to  understand 
how  commentators,  with  the  least  perception  of  poetic  beauty,  can 
urge  such  an  expression  at  this  in  it>  literal  sense,  as  ■  proof  that  this 
rerae  must  bars  been  added,  or  tlie  whole  Prabn  composed,  after 
Jerusalem  was  in  rains. 


PSALM   LIL 


Why  boasts  thy  heart  in  deeds  of  ill, 

Thou  man  of  lawless  might  ? 
The  God  of  grace  is  sov' reign  still, 

And  he  shall  guard  the  right. 

Thy  tongue  is  like  a  treach'rous  knife  ; 

Thy  soul  to  crime  hath  clung  : 
Thou  lov'st  the  murd'rous  words  of  strife, 

O  thou  deceitful  tongue  ! 

God,  in  his  hour,  thy  strength  shall  crush, 

And  root  thee  up  from  earth  ; 
And  from  the  land  of  life  shall  hush 

Thy  dwelling's  sound  of  mirth. 

The  just  shall  sec  and  fear  and  cry, 

"  Yon  man  of  might  behold, 
Who  sought  not  strength  from  God  most  High, 

But  lean'd  on  crime  and  gold  !" 

But  I  am  like  an  olive  green, 

Which  God's  fair  courts  enclose  ; 

And  in  his  love  my  hope  serene 
Forever  shall  repose. 

His  deeds  forever  shall  I  speak, 

And  on  his  name  rely  : 
No  worthier  Lot  his  saints  can  seek, 

Than  thus  to  live  and  die. 

NOTTS. — u  For  the  chief  musician,  an  Ode  of  David,  when  Doeg 
the  Edomite  came  and  told  Said,  and  said  to  him,  'David  came  to  the 


PSALM     LIII.  lOt 

house  of  Abirnelech.' "  The  title  is  not  contradicted  by  the  contents 
of  the  Psalm. 

Thou  man  of  lawless  might.  Mr.  Mudge  supposes  the  address, 
u  mighty  man,"  to  be  here  ironical. 

God,  in  his  hour,  thy  strength  shall  crush.  The  arrogant  sinner  is 
here  apostrophized,  and  the  personification  at  the  end  of  the  prece- 
ding verse  is  dropped. 

But  lam  like  an  olive  green.  If  the  occasion  assigned  in  the  super- 
scription were  the  true  date  of  this  Psalm,  and  if  the  speedy  misery 
of  the  wicked  and  the  final  prosperity  of  the  just  be  asserted  by  the 
sacred  poet,  how,  it  might  well  be  asked,  could  this  be  consistent  with 
the  fate  of  Abirnelech  and  his  brethren,  except  David  could  point  to  a 
rest  that  remainetli  for  the  people  of  God  on  high  ? 


PSALM  LIII. 

The  fool  saith  in  his  heart, 

"  There  is  no  God  to  view  :" 
They  wind  their  ways,  with  loathsome  art, 

And  no  man's  deeds  are  true. 

God  from  the  throne  above 

Look'd  o'erth'  unnumber'd  race, 

If  any  walk'd  in  wisdom's  love, 
If  any  sought  his  grace. 

All,  all  are  turn'd  away, 

To  common  ruin  run  ; 
Where'er  may  fall  his  eye's  keen  ray, 

None  doeth  good,  not  one. 

And  know  they  naught,  nor  heed, 
Whose  hands  with  crime  are  red, 

Whose  pray'rless  wants  my  flock  must  feed, 
As  feeds  their  common  bread  ? 

Fearfully  fear'd  the  frail, 

And  yet  no  fear  there  came  ; 
God  breaks  the  arms  that  thee  assail, 

And  thou  may'st  scorn  their  shame. 


102  PSALM    LIV. 

Oh,  were  salvation  come 

From  Bion's  holy  King  ! 
What  joy  shall  light  the  exile's  home, 

When  Cod  his  own  shall  bring! 

NOTES. — u  For  the  chief  musician  upon  the  flutes,  an  Ode  of 
David. "  This  is  the  fourteenth  Psalm,  with  some  very  slight  varia- 
tions. One  of  the  chief  of  these  is  the  use  of  the  name  God  through- 
out for  Jehovah. 

Fearfully  fear  <l  the  frail.  This  verse  contains  the  principal  change 
from  the  words  of  the  fourteenth  Psalm.  Whensoever  or  hy  whom- 
soever it  was  introduced,  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  the  circumstan- 
ces which  caused  the  variation  gave  to  the  Psalm  a  slightly  different 
application,  and  caused  its  insertion  here. 


PSALM  LIV. 

Save  me,  O  God,  by  thy  great  name, 

And  judge  me  by  thy  pow'r, 
And  hear  the  pray'r  my  lips  shall  frame 

In  mine  afflicted  hour. 

For  foes  unknown  beset  my  path, 

And  murd'rous  tyrants  rise  ; 
And  not  thy  mercy  nor  thy  wrath 

Can  fix  their  impious  eyes. 

Lo,  on  my  side  the  faithful  Lord 

Mid  my  defenders  stands  : 
His  arm  shall  waste,  with  fell  reward, 

The  slayers1  ambush'd  bands. 

A  cheerful  gift,  a  worthy  song, 
My  God,  I  brine  to  thee; 

Since  all  their  wish  on  that  false  throng 
My  rescued  eyes  may  see. 

NOTES. — ''For  tin'  chief  musician  on  the  stringed  instruments, 
an  Ode  of  David,  when  the  Ziphites  came  and  .-aid  to  Saul,  'Doth 
not  David  hide  himself  with  Hi  '"'     It  is  \cry  prohahle  that  such  was 

reel j  the  origin  oftfaii  brief  mppbotkm. 


PSALM     LV.  103 

Save  me,  0  God,  by  thy  great  name.      The  name  of  God  is,  by  a 
common  Hebraism,  placed  for  himself  and  his  divine  power. 


PSALM  LV. 


Oh,  hear,  my  God,  while  loud  I  pray, 

Nor  hide  thee  from  my  cry  ; 
Oh,  hearken,  while  forlorn  I  stray, 

And  heave  the  ceaseless  sigh  ; 

While  high  the  shouts  of  malice  ring, 

And  vile  oppressors  rage  ; 
While  sorrow  on  my  head  they  fling, 

And  fiery  warfare  wage. 

Around  my  faint  and  groaning  heart 
Death  spreads  its  awful  shade  ; 

And  trembling,  at  each  sound  I  start, 
With  horrid  dreams  afraid. 

Oh,  I  have  cried,  had  I  the  wing, 

Like  yon  swift  dove  to  roam ! 
Then  should  my  spirit  upward  spring, 

And  seek  a  peaceful  home. 

Afar,  in  some  untrodden  waste, 

Would  I  my  shelter  find  ; 
And  joyful  to  its  covert  haste, 

And  leave  the  storm  behind. 

Destroy,  OLord,  their  counsels  dark; 

Their  crafty  tongues  divide  : 
For,  round  these  walls,  mine  eye  must  mark 

The  step  of  strife  and  pride. 

By  day  they  rage,  by  night  they  prowl ; 

And  crime  and  sorrow  meet : 
Guilt  holds  with  guile  its  dwelling  foul, 

Nor  leaves  the  blood-stain'd  street. 


104  PSALM     LV. 

It  was  no  scoff  of  ancient  hate  ; 

Such  taunt  I  scarce  would  dread : 
No  open  foe  grew  bold  and  great ; 

Then,  I  had  seen  and  fled  : 

But  thou,  as  mine  own  bosom  dear, 

My  guide,  with  whom  I  trod, 
While  words  of  sweetness  charm' d  the  ear, 

Up  to  the  house  of  God. 

Let  ambush'd  death  their  haughty  prime 
Sweep  downward  to  the  tomb  : 

For  in  their  dwellings  dwells  the  crime 
That  mocks  the  ling'ring  doom. 

But  I  will  call  on  God  most  High, 

The  Lord,  my  Saviour  near  : 
At  eve,  at  morn,  at  noon,  I  cry, 

And  he  my  voice  shall  hear. 

He  guards  my  peace  through  stormy  strife, 
And  hosts  my  cause  maintain  : 

The  Lord,  enthron'd  in  endless  life, 
Breaks  down  the  hostile  train. 

They  will  not  turn  ;  his  wrath  they  dare  ; 

They  stretch  their  trait'rous  hands 
Against  the  men  whose  peace  they  swear  ; 

Against  their  cov'nant's  bands. 

More  soft  than  milk,  the  accents  steal ; 

War  fills  the  heart  unseen  : 
More  smooth  than  oil,  they  seem  to  heal ; 

Each  word  a  faulchion  keen. 

Cast  on  the  Lord  his  wisdom's  gift, 

Thy  doom,  whatc'er  betide  : 
His  arm  shall  all  thy  burdens  lift; 

The  righteous  shall  not  slide. 


PSALM     LVI.  10-5 

O  God,  before  thine  anger's  blaze 

To  death's  dark  gulf  they  flee  ; 
For  blood  and  fraud  make  transient  days  ; 

But  I  will  trust  in  thee. 

NOTES. — "For  the  chief  musician  on  the  stringed  instruments, 
an  Ode  of  David."  Like  many  others,  it  is  referred  by  most  of  the 
commentators  to  the  time  when  Absalom  rose  in  insurrection  against 
his  father ;  but  this  is  only  conjecture. 

Like  yon  swift  dove  to  roam.  The  dove  is  remarkable  for  the  swift- 
ness of  its  flight.  Pliny  says  that  it  is  much  swifter  than  the  hawk, 
where  it  can  range  freely. 

For,  round  these  tcalls,  mine  eye  must  mark.  Hatred  and  discord 
seem  to  be  compared  to  sentinels,  pacing  the  walls,  and  carefully  ex- 
cluding all  peace ;  or  else  to  tumultuous  bands,  ranging  through  an 
unguarded  city. 

But  thou,  as  mine  oicn  bosom  dear.  The  treason  of  Ahithophel  may 
be  deemed  a  type  of  the  treason  of  Judas,  as  David  was  the  type  of 
Christ  in  so  many  circumstances  of  his  life. 

And  hosts  my  cause  maintain.  Armies  of  angels,  or  rather  all  the 
powers  of  heaven,  are  on  the  side  of  the  servant  of  God. 


PSALM  LVI. 


Have  mercy,  Lord  !  the  panting  breath 

Of  tyrant  foes  is  loud  : 
Each  day  they  pant  to  work  my  death, 

Each  day  to  battle  crowd. 

O  thou  most  High,  in  fearful  days 

I  trust  thy  word  and  arm  : 
My  God  I  trust,  my  God  I  praise, 

Nor  dread  a  mortal's  harm. 

The  livelong  day  my  words  they  wrest, 

And  all  their  thought  is  ill : 
They  watch  the  paths  my  feet  have  pressed, 

And  wait  to  rise  and  kill. 

Shall  guilt  so  proud  a  refuge  see  ? 
The  Lord  their  pride  shall  bow  : 


106  PSALM     LVII. 

Thou  tell'st  my  steps,  where'er  I  flee  ; 
My  tears,  oh,  treasure  thou  ! 

Are  not  my  woes  within  thy  book  ? 

Oh,  when  to  thee  I  cry, 
Before  the  God  that  ne'er  forsook, 

I  know  my  foes  shall  fly. 

My  cheerful  voice  to  God  I  raise, 

And  trust  his  word  and  arm  : 
The  Lord  my  God  I  trust  and  praise, 

Nor  dread  a  mortal's  harm. 

Thy  vows  are  on  me,  God  of  grace  : 

I  keep  the  pledge  I  gave, 
When  look'd  my  soul  on  death's  dread  face, 

And  thou  wert  there  to  save. 

Wilt  thou  not  guide  and  guard  me  still, 

That,  in  thy  holy  sight, 
I  journey  onward  by  thy  will, 

And  walk  in  life  and  light  ? 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  to  the  tune  of  the  SilentDove 
among  Strangers/  a  Writing  of*  David,  when  the  Philistines  took  him 
in  Gath."     No  more  prohable  origin  can  be  assigned  to  tins  Psalm. 

The  panting  breath.  They  are  painted  as  pressing  behind  him,  like 
wild  beasts,  panting  on  the  footsteps  of  their  prey. 

My  tears,  oh,  treasure  thou!  The  literal  translation  is,  "put  my 
tears  into  thy  bottle."  As  the  most  precious  wines  or  medicines 
were  thus  valued  and  preserved,  so  the  Psalmist  prays  that  the  Lord 
would  thus  regard  his  tears,  and  not  suffer  them  to  fall  unnoticed  to 
the  ground.  We  arc  accustomed  to  use  comparisons  still  larger, 
when  we  speak  of  "  floods"  of  tears.  Tear-bottles  are  said  to  have 
been  found  in  old  sepulchral  urns. 


PSALM   LVII. 

Have  mercy,  mercy,  God  most  just! 
My  soul  would  flee,  with  trembling  trust, 
Beneath  thy  Bhad'wing  wings  to  lie, 

Till  death's  wild  storms  have  hurried  by. 


PSALM     LVII.  107 

To  God,  the  sov'reign  God  of  all, 
My  champion  in  the  heav'ns,  I  call ; 
His  love  and  truth  shall  hold  me  safe, 
When  fierce  destroyers  roar  and  chafe. 

My  soul  is  in  a  lion's  den  ; 
My  dwelling  is  mid  fiery  men  ; 
Their  teeth  as  spears  and  arrows  tear, 
Their  tongue  is  like  a  faulchion  bare. 

Be  thou,  O  God,  exalted  high, 
In  thy  bright  realms  beyond  the  sky  ; 
And  far  as  stretch  the  earth  and  sea, 
Let  thine  own  glory  rise  to  thee. 

Along  my  path  their  net  was  spread  ; 
They  bow'd  them  down  to  watch  my  tread  ; 
A  treach'rous  pit  their  hands  prepar'd, 
And  there  they  fell,  themselves  ensnar'd. 

My  heart  is  tun'd,  O  God  my  King, 
My  heart  is  tun'd,  to  praise  and  sing  : 
Awake,  my  glory  ;  lute  and  lyre  ; 
I  wake,  with  morning's  eastern  fire. 

Amidst  the  realms  I  praise  my  Lord, 
Amidst  the  nations'  glad  accord  : 
Thy  mercy  high  as  heav'n  ascends, 
Thy  truth  be}^ond  the  clouds  extends. 

Be  thou,  O  God,  exalted  high 
In  thy  bright  realms  beyond  the  sky  ; 
And  far  as  stretch  the  earth  and  sea, 
Let  thine  own  glory  rise  to  thee. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  Destroy  not,  a  Writing  of 
David,  when  he  fled  from  Saul,  in  the  cave."  The  Psalm  was  un- 
doubtedly written  after  the  deliverance,  not  during  the  peril.  It  is 
uncertain  whether  the  words,  "  Destroy  not,"  express  its  character,  or 
the  melody  to  which  it  was  to  be  sung. 

Aicake,  my  glory.  Thus  the  soul  is  addressed,  as  the  chief  excel- 
lence and  glory  of  man. 


10S  PSALM     LVIII. 

/  icaJiT  xcith  mornings  eastern  fire.     Mr.  Street  translates  this,  "  I 
will  awake  the  morning/'  and  quotes  Milton's  Allegro, 
u  Oft  list'ning  how  the  hound  and  horn 
Cheerily  rouse  the  sluinb'ring  morn." 


PSALM   LVIII. 


I'OAJLiU      L   Vlll, 

Speak  3re  indeed,  ye  sons  of  man, 

The  justice  silent  all  too  long  ? 
No  :  all  3^our  hearts  but  evil  plan, 

And  weigh  your  hands  but  crime  and  wrong. 

E'en  from  the  birth  the  wicked  stray, 
And  lies  are  on  their  earliest  breath : 

A  poison  tracks  their  slimy  way, 

So  bears  the  serpent  pois'nous  death. 

So  the  deaf  adder  shuts  her  ear, 
And  on,  her  path  of  murder  winds  ; 

The  charmer's  voice  she  will  not  hear, 
How  wise  so  e'er  the  charm  he  binds. 

Break  thou,  O  God,  the  lion's  jaw  ; 

Break  the  young  lions'  rav'nous  teeth  : 
And  while  their  bows  the  guilty  draw, 

Cast  down  the  blunted  shafts  beneath. 

Waste  thou  their  strength  as  waters  glide, 
As  melts  the  snail  along  the  earth ; 

As,  ere  the  Light  of  life  it  ey'd, 

Has  fall'n  the  mother's  timeless  birth. 

Before  the  thorns  have  felt  the  fire, 
Before  the  impious  feast  is  warm, 

The  Lord  shall  pour  his  righteous  ire, 
And  strew  them  on  its  whirlwind  storm. 

The  just  shall  joy  where  vengeance  sweeps, 
And  wash  in  impious  gore  Bis  feet; 

And  men  shall  cry,  "  yes,  well  he  reaps  ; 
Yes,  God  has  still  a  judgment  seat." 


PSALM     LIX.  109 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  Destroy  not,  a  Writing  of 
David."  Townsend  places  this  Psalm,  in  the  order  of  time,  imme- 
diately after  the  fifty-seventh. 

And  iccighyour  hands  but  crime  and  wrong.  They  are  represented 
as  balancing  and  distributing  injuries,  instead  of  right  and  justice. 

Tlie  charmer 's  voice  she  will  not  hear.  In  the  Ease,  at  this  day,  there 
are  many  who  pretend  to  exercise  their  incantations  upon  serpents, 
and  really  attain  a  surprising  skill  in  controlling  them,  after  having 
extracted  their  poison. 

As  melts  the  snail  along  the  earth.  The  comparison  is  drawn  from 
the  appearance  of  the  creature  in  its  slimy  progress,  which  is  proba- 
bly attended  by  a  loss  of  strength. 

HasfalVn  the  motJier's  timeless  hirth.  "  Abortivus,  a  cadendo"  is 
the  derivation  of  the  Hebrew  word. 

Before  the  thorns  have ■  f  It  the  fi re.  The  image  comes  from  an  acci- 
dent, which  would  sometimes  befall  travellers  in  the  desert.  Having 
prepared  a  fire  of  such  fuel  as  they  could  collect,  they  would  see  all 
swept  away  by  some  sudden  whirlwind. 

And  wash  in  impious  gore  his  feet.  This  is  not  a  figure  of  barbarous 
exultation,  I  believe  ;  but  of  the  triumphant  passage  of  the  victor 
over  the  field  of  battle,  where  he  could  not  but  tread  in  the  blood  of 
the  slain. 


PSALM  LIX. 

Save  me,  O  God,  from  many  foes, 
That,  leagu'd  to  slay  me,  stand  : 

Oh,  lift  me  o'er  their  work  of  woes, 
And  stay  the  bloody  hand. 

Forlo,  O  Lord,  around  my  path 
The  mighty  ambush  wait : 

And,  though  they  rush  in  fiery  wrath, 
They  rush  with  causeless  hate. 

Lord  God  of  Hosts,  arise,  awake, 
Thou  God  of  Israel's  seed  ; 

Thy  vengeance  o'er  the  impious  shake, 
Nor  spare  the  spoiler's  deed. 

At  fall  of  eve,  like  famish'd  hounds, 
Around  the  walls  they  bark  : 

10 


HO  PSALM     LIX. 

And,  like  a  sword,  their  words  are  wounds, 
For  "  who  is  nigh  to  hark  ?" 

Thou,  Lord,  shalt  laugh  to  bitter  scorn 

The  heathen's  boasting  pow'r; 
Thou,  in  whose  strength  my  heart  forlorn 

Has  found  a  shelt'ring  tow'r. 

My  God's  dear  mercy  guards  me  still, 

And  all  my  way  o'erspreads ; 
My  God  my  heart's  desire  shall  fill 

On  mine  oppressors'  heads. 

Yet  slay  them  not,  but  strew  them  wide, 

A  lesson  long  to  yield  : 
Bow  down  the  murd'rers'  tow'ring  pride, 

O  Lord,  our  sov'reign  Shield  ! 

For,  with  each  word  their  lips  prepare, 
Their  tongue's  transgressions  soar : 

Let  those  proud  words  be  made  their  snare, 
That  impious  falsehood  pour. 

Oh,  waste  them,  waste  in  wrath  away, 

And  let  their  ruin  teach, 
How  God  in  Jacob  holds  the  sway 

That  earth's  wide  bounds  shall  reach. 

At  fall  of  eve,  like  famish'd  hounds, 

Then  let  them  turn  and  bark  ; 
While  men  their  hunger's  moaning  sounds 

The  livelong  night  shall  mark. 

But  I,  witli  morning's  rising  light, 
Thy  pow'r  and  grace  will  sing :  ( 

For  thou  hast  been  our  shelt'ring  might, 
My  Saviour  and  my  King  ! 

NOTES  — l>  For  fa  chief  mufoiaft,  Destroy  not,  a  Writing  of 
David   when  Saul  lent,  a*d  they  watched  the  bouse  to  day  him. 
The  words  of  the  Psalm  coincide  very  well  wim  mat  history.     Mr. 


PSALM     LX.  Ill 

Mudge,  however,  refers  it,  not  without  plausibility,  to  the  siege  of 
Jerusalem  by  the  Assyrians  under  Rabshakeh. 

Around  the  walls  they  bark.  This  has  sometimes  been  translated  as 
an  imprecation,  like  that  near  the  end  of  the  Psalm  ;  but  it  seems  to 
present  a  more  striking  picture,  if  the  present  tense  be  adopted  here, 
and  the  future  or  imperative  there. 


PSALM   LX. 

0  God,  our  armies  thou  hast  left ; 

Their  scatt'ring  ranks  thy  sword  has  cleft ; 
Thy  wrathful  terrors  fiercely  burn  ; 
Oh,  turn  us,  Lord,  and  thou  return ! 

Earth  reels  beneath  thy  vengeful  stroke ; 
Oh,  heal  the  breaches  thou  hast  broke  : 
In  troublous  scenes  thy  people  pine, 
And  drink  confusion's  deadly  wine. 

Yet  thou  a  banner  fair  hast  rear'd, 

To  tell  thy  name  where  thou  wert  fear'd ; 

Far  o'er  thy  hosts  belov'd  to  wave  ; 

Then  hear,  and  stretch  thine  arm,  and  save. 

And  hark,  the  Lord  lifts  high  his  voice, 
And  in  his  word  my  ears  rejoice: 

1  haste  old  Shechem's  walls  to  scale, 
And  stretch  my  line  o'er  Succoth's  vale. 

And  mine  are  Gilead's  fruitful  hills  ; 
And  mine  the  fields  Manasseh  tills ; 
My  helmet's  strength  are  Ephraim's  bands  ; 
My  sceptre  rests  in  Judah's  hands. 

In  Moab's  streams  my  feet  I  lave, 
And  cast  my  shoe  to  Edom's  slave  : 
Philistia,  raise  thy  joyous  cry, 
To  see  thy  conqu'ring  lord  so  nigh. 


112  PSALM     LXI. 

But  who  shall  lead  our  trembling  pow'rs, 
And  bring  to  Edom's  battled  tow'rs  ? 
And  hast  thou  cast  us,  Lord,  away, 
And  lead'st  no  more  our  weak  array  ? 

Oh,  give  us  aid  from  trouble's  chain  ; 
For  man's  poor  aid  is  false  and  vain  : 
We  march,  with  God's  victorious  might, 
And  he  shall  tread  our  foes  in  flight. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician  on  the  six-stringed  lyre,  a 
Writing  of  David,  to  teach  ;  when  he  strove  with  the  Mesopotami- 
ans,  and  with  the  Syrians  of  Zobah,  and  when  Joab  returned,  and 
smote  twelve  thousand  of  the  Edomites  in  the  Valley  of  Salt."  It 
was  in  the  course  of  those  contests,  probably,  that  this  Psalm  had 
indeed  its  origin. 

And  drink  confusion's  deadly  xcine.     So  Isaiah  (li.  17.) 

u  Which  hast  drunk  at  the  hand  of  the  Lord  the  cup  of  his  fary; 

Thou  hast  drunken  the  dregs  of  the  cup  of  trembling, 

And  wrung  them  out." 

Yet  thou  a  banner  fair  hast  reared.  Soldiers  are  accustomed  to  look 
towards  their  standard  with  ardour,  and  to  follow  boldly  where  it 
leads  the  way. 

And  stretch  my  line  o'er  SuccoOCs  vale.  To  stretch  the  line  was  to 
divide  the  ground,  in  the  right  of  an  owner.  Shechem  was  a  strong 
town  of  the  tribe  of  Ephraim.  Succoth  was  in  the  tribe  of  Gad,  be- 
yond Jordan,  not  far  from  the  sea  of  Gennesareth.  Gilead  and  Ma- 
nasseh  were  also  beyond  Jordan.  Ephraim  was  one  of  the  mightiest 
and  most  populous  of  the  tribes,  and  Judah  was  chief  of  all.  A  com- 
plete dominion,  therefore,  over  the  whole  Jewish  nation,  is  described 
in  these  verses. 

In  MoaVs  streams  my  feet  I  lave.  The  image  is  that  of  the  most 
servile  subjection. 

And  cast  my  sJtoe  to  Edom's  slave.  Edom  seems  to  be  represented 
as  the  slave  who  performed  the  meanest  ofhee,  that  of  receiving  the 
shoe  which  the  master  cast  from  his  foot.  Other  interpretations  have 
been  given  ;  but  this  corresponds  best  with  the  character  of  the  figure 
in  the  preceding  line. 


PSALM   LXI. 

Hoar,  Lord,  a  sinking  bosom's  cry 
From  earth's  most  lonely  land; 

And  lead  mc  to  the  rock  on  high 
Where  I  may  fearless  stand. 


PSALM     LXII.  113 

Oh,  hear,  for  thou  hast  been  my  tow'r ; 

To  thee  my  spirit  springs  ; 
To  dwell  within  thy  sacred  bow'r, 

To  hide  beneath  thy  wings. 

My  vows,  O  God,  have  found  thine  ear, 

And  thou  hast  ne'er  forgot : 
Mid  them  that  keep  thy  holy  fear, 

Thou  giv'st  me  all  my  lot. 

With  days  on  days  thy  love  supreme 
The  king's  long  bliss  shall  swell : 

While  age  by  age  rolls  on  its  stream, 
He  still  with  God  shall  dwTell. 

Oh,  send  from  heav'n  thy  truth  and  love, 

To  guard  his  perill'd  way  : 
So  I  will  lift  thy  praise  above, 

And  daily  off 'rings  pay. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician  on  the  stringed  instruments,  a 
Psalm  of  David.7' 

From  earth's  most  lonely  land.  It  may  be  doubted  whether  expres- 
sions like  these  are  to  be  taken  as  if  they  would  aiFord  any  evidence  of 
the  place  at  which  a  Psalm  was  composed.  This  is  a  natural  figure 
for  distress  and  barrenness  of  heart. 

The  king's  long  bliss  shall  swell.  David  is  here  the  type  of  the 
Messiah  ;  and  the  words,  in  their  fullest  extent,  are  most  true  of  the 
antitype. 


PSALM  LXII. 

Still  I  will  look  for  God's  defence, 

My  strength  and  rocky  wall : 
All  my  salvation  comes  from  thence  : 

I  shall  not  greatly  fall. 

How  long  shall  rush  your  storming  pow'rs 
Against  one  bosom  just  ? 
10* 


114  PSALM     LXII. 

Soon,  like  a  shatter'd  bulwark's  tow'rs, 
Your  might  shall  strew  the  dust. 

They  lie,  to  shake  his  seat  above, 

The  seat  they  cannot  climb  : 
Their  lips  o'erflow  with  words  of  love, 

Their  hearts  with  thoughts  of  crime. 

But  look,  my  soul,  for  God's  defence, 

My  strength  and  rocky  wall ; 
For  all  my  hope  shall  come  from  thence, 

And  I  shall  never  fall. 

In  God,  my  God,  who  ne'er  departs, 

My  hope,  my  fame,  abide  : 
Oh,  trust  him  all  with  outpour'd  hearts, 

If  good  or  ill  betide. 

God  is  our  strength ;  but,  strong  or  frail, 

The  sons  of  men  are  vain  ; 
And,  weigh'd  when  judgment  holds  the  scale, 

As  light  as  air  remain. 

Trust  not  the  robber's  sordid  piles, 

Nor  boast  the  hoarded  ore  : 
When  round  thy  home  rich  plenty  smiles, 

Yet  love  not  wealth  the  more. 

For  once  and  twice  our  God  hath  spoke, 

That  his  is  sov'reign  sway  : 
And  mercy,  Lord,  shall  guide  thy  stroke, 

But  thou  shalt  all  repay. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  for  Jeduthun,  a  Psalm  of 
David."  If  any  date  he  chosen,  it  will  doubtless  be  the  time  of  his 
persecutions  under  Saul. 

They  lie,  to  ikake  fiis  $eat  ahovc.  The  just  man,  of  whom  the 
Psalmist  had  Immediately  before  spoken,  is  thus  assailed  by  those 
who  envy  his  prosperity  and  reputation. 

For  once  and  Ur it  t our  Qodhatk  tpoke.  This  form  of  speech  ex- 
presses a  fixed  and  irrevocable  determination  or  decree.  So  Job, 
(\xxiii.  14.) 

"For  God  ipeaketb  once, yea  twice, 
Yet  man  perceivetli  it  not." 


PSALM     LXIII.  115 


PSALM  LXIII. 


O  God,  my  God,  with  morning's  beam 

To  thee  my  thirsty  spirit  flies  : 
From  wastes  where  glides  no  cooling  stream, 

For  thee  my  panting  bosom  cries. 

As  I  have  seen,  oh,  might  I  see 

Thy  glory  in  thy  holy  place  ; 
And  sing,  more  dear  than  life  to  me, 

The  beams  of  thy  celestial  grace. 

My  joyous  lips  shall  speak  thy  praise, 

Till  life's  last  breath  in  praise  have  ceas'd  ; 

My  hands  in  thy  great  name  I  raise, 
And  on  thy  love  my  spirit  feast. 

On  my  still  couch  at  midnight  laid, 
I  muse  on  thee,  each  wakeful  hour  ; 

And  bless  thy  wing's  protecting  shade, 
Since  I  have  known  my  Guardian's  pow'r. 

Fast  to  thy  step  my  soul  shall  cleave, 
And  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me  fast, 

When  they  who  snares  and  ruin  weave 

To  death's  dark  caves  have  downward  pass'd. 

The  sword  and  fox  shall  drink  their  gore  ; 

The  liars'  lips  shall  close  in  shame  ; 
But  high  in  God  my  song  shall  soar 

Amid  the  hosts  that  lov'd  thy  name. 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  David,  when  he  was  in  the  wilderness  of 
Judah."  It  was  evidently  written  at  a  time  when  the  monarch  was 
fir  removed  from  the  sanctuary.  By  the  ancient  Christians  it  was 
called  "  the  morning  Psalm,"  and  sung  every  morning  in  the  public 
service. 

Tfie  sword  and  fox  shall  drink  their  gore.  The  animal  here  named 
appears  to  be  the  jackall,  which  digs  up  and  devours  the  bodies  of  the 
dead. 


116  PSALM     LXIV. 


PSALM   LXIV. 

Hear,  O  my  God,  my  voice  of  pray'r ; 

Preserve  my  soul  from  fears  and  foes ; 
And  hide  me  from  the  hidden  snare, 

And  strew  the  throngs  that  round  me  close. 

Their  tongues  are  set  like  sharpen'd  swords ; 

Against  the  just  their  bows  are  bent ; 
The  pois'ning  shafts  are  deadly  words, 

Secret,  and  swift,  and  boldly  sent. 

They  arm  and  urge  for  deeds  of  ill ; 

And  "  who,"  they  cry,  "  our  snares  shall  mark?" 
They  search,  and  search,  their  crimes  to  fill, 

And  all  their  heart  is  deep  and  dark. 

But,  like  an  arrow  swift  of  wing, 

Shall  God's  just  judgments  pierce  them  through ; 
Their  tongue  shall  yield  their  own  false  sting, 

And  all  shall  flee  that  stand  to  view. 

For  all  shall  see  his  wondrous  ways, 

And  far  the  Lord's  dread  deed  shall  tell : 

In  God,  the  just  shall  trust  and  praise, 
And  high  the  upright  heart  shall  swell. 

NOTES.— "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David."  It  is 
similar  in  its  character  to  the  fifty-second. 

T/tcy  search,  and  search,  their  crimes  to  fill.  In  this  completeness  of 
inquiry  after  means  of  wrong,  the  most  dreadful  turpitude  is  de- 
lineated. 

And  all  shall  fee  that  stand  to  view.  So,  when  Korah  and  his  com- 
pany were  destroyed,  u  all  Israel  that  were  round  about  them  fled  at 
the  cry  of  them  :  for  they  said,  Lest  the  earth  swallow  us  up  also." 
(Num.  xvi.  34.) 


PSALM     LXV.  117 


PSALM  LXV. 

A  peaceful  praise  is  thine, 

In  Sion's  holy  place, 
And  grateful  gifts  surround  thy  shrine, 

Eternal  God  of  grace. 

All  souls  to  thee  shall  throng, 

Who  hear' st  the  suppliant's  call; 

And  though  our  thousand  sins  be  strong, 
Yet  thou  canst  cleanse  from  all. 

Oh,  happy,  chosen  guests, 

To  thy  bright  mansion  led  ! 
There,  in  thy  love  their  spirit  rests, 

And  shares  thy  hcav'nly  bread. 

Dread  wonders  tell  thy  hand, 

O  thou  most  strong  to  save  ! 
Thou  hope  of  earth's  remotest  strand, 

And  isles  that  strew  the  wave. 

Thou,  girt  with  pow'r  around, 
Hast  fix'd  the  mountains  fast ; 

Thou  still' st  the  seas'  wild,  raving  sound, 
The  billows  and  the  blast. 

Thou  still' st  the  billows'  roar, 

The  warring  realms'  alarm  : 
The  dwellers  on  each  distant  shore 

Behold  and  fear  thine  arm. 

Of  thee  the  morning's  beams, 

The  evening  shadows  sing  : 
And  earth  is  rich  with  show'ring  streams 

From  God's  exhaustless  spring. 

Then,  when  the  furrows  yield 
Beneath  thy  trickling  rain, 


IIS  PSALM     LXVI. 

When  gentle  tides  have  smooth' d  the  field, 
Thou  giv'st  the  golden  grain. 

Thy  blessing  opes  the  year, 

Thy  goodness  crowns  its  close  ; 

And  where  thy  rolling  wheels  appear,     * 
The  dew  of  plenty  flows. 

It  flows  on  barren  rocks, 

And  waving  vales  rejoice  ; 
And  mountains,  white  with  snowy  flocks, 

Lift  high  their  happy  voice. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  and  Song  of  David," 
T/ie  warring  realms1  alarm.     The  stormy  ocean  seems  here  to  sug- 
gest the  thought  of  that  tumult  of  nations,  of  which  it  is  so  apt  an 
image. 

And  where  thy  rolling  wlieels  appear.     Possibly  the  clouds  may  be 
here  represented  as  the  chariot  of  God. 


PSALM   LXVI. 

Let  all  the  earth  a  joyful  cry 

To  God,  its  Maker,  raise  : 
And  sing  ye  forth  his  name  on  high, 

And  glorious  be  his  praise. 

And  say,  "  how  dreadful,  Lord,  art  thou! 

Thy  foes  thy  might  shall  own  ; 
And  all  the  earth  shall  lowly  bow, 

And  sing  thy  name  alone." 

Come,  see  the  wondrous  works  of  God  ! 

He  dried  the  wat'ry  way, 
And  through  the  flood  his  people  trod, 

And  triumph  swell' d  their  lay. 

He  rules  forever  in  his  might ; 
His  eyes  the  nations  see : 


PSALM     LXVI.  119 

0  child  of  dust,  beneath  his  sight 
Bow  down  thy  rebel  knee  ! 

Oh,  praise  our  God  with  praises  high, 

Each  tribe  of  ev'ry  land  : 
He  hath  not  giv'n  our  souls  to  die  ; 

And  firm  our  footsteps  stand. 

For  thou,  O  God,  our  souls  hast  tried, 

Like  silver  in  the  flame  : 
The  net  our  struggling  members  tied, 

The  burden  bent  our  frame  ; 

Hard  on  our  necks  th'  oppressor  rode  ; 

Through  fire  and  wave  we  pass'd : 
But  thou  to  plenty's  fair  abode 

Hast  led  our  feet  at  last. 

And  therefore,  in  thy  temple  bow'd, 

My  cheerful  thanks  I  pay ; 
And  keep  whate'er  my  lips  have  vow'd 

In  trouble's  dismal  day. 

1  promised  gifts,  and  gifts  I  bear, 

From  forest,  field  and  stall ; 
The  incense  rising  with  my  pray'r, 
My  flocks,  my  herds,  my  all. 

Come,  ye  that  fear  the  Lord  most  High, 

And  I  his  grace  will  tell ; 
My  lips  to  him  have  made  my  cry, 

My  lips  his  praise  shall  swell. 

If  glad  in  guilt  my  heart  could  rest, 
Unheard  that  heart  might  pray  ; 

But  now  he  hears  :  my  God  be  bless'd, 
Who  would  not  turn  away  ! 

NOTES.—"  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Song  or  Psalm."    It  is 
generally  ascribed  to  the  times  immediately  after  the  captivity. 


120  PSALM     LXVII. 

He  dried  the  wat'ry  way.  The  Hebrews  always  went  back  to  the 
wonders  of  their  deliverance  from  Egypt,  u  the  most  signal  example 
of  divine  interposition  on  behalf  of  then  nation. 

Hard  on  our  necks  tli  oppressor  rode.  This  image  is  apparently 
taken  from  the  hone  under  his  rider.  Others  suppose  it  to  represent 
the  furious  conqueror,  trampling  his  foes  beneath  the  hoofs  of  his 
steed ;  a  figure  repeatedly  employed  by  the  ancients. 


PSALM   LXVII. 

God  grant  us  blessing,  grant  us  grace, 
And  lift  the  brightness  of  his  face  ; 
Till  all  the  world  thy  wa}rs  shall  know, 
The  realms  to  thy  salvation  flow. 

Thy  praise,  O  God,  let  nations  raise, 
Let  all  the  nations  hj^mn  thy  praise  ; 
And  one  high  song  of  gladness  soar 
From  ev'ry  tribe  of  ev'ry  shore. 

For  thou  shalt  judge  the  world  in  right, 
And  lead  the  people  by  thy  might : 
Thy  praise,  O  God,  let  nations  raise, 
Let  all  the  nations  hymn  thy  praise. 

So  earth  shall  yield  her  large  increase, 
And  God,  our  God,  shall  send  us  peace  : 
Our  homes  shall  taste  his  blessing  here, 
And  earth's  far  bounds  shall  learn  his  fear. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician  on  the  stringed  instruments, 
a  Psalm  or  Song."  It  is  placed  by  Townsend  during  the  captivity  ; 
but  there  is  nothing  to  determine  its  date. 

Till  all  the  world  thy  ways  shall  know.  The  call  of  the  Gentiles  is 
clearly  anticipated  here  ;  so  clearly,  thai  this  verse  has  been  selected 
as  the  fittest  form  of  supplication  for  the  extension  of  the  church  of 
Christ 


PSALM     LXVIII.  121 


PSALM   LXVIII. 

Let  God  arise,  and  strew  afar 

His  foes  before  his  conqu'ring  car, 

Like  smoke  that  drives  when  tempests  blow, 

Like  wax  beneath  the  sunbeam's  glow. 

So*  let  th'  ungodly' s  might  expire, 
When  God  shall  lift  his  glance  of  fire  ; 
While  o'er  his  people's  joyous  way 
That  glance  shall  pour  resplendent  day. 

Sing  praise  to  God,  sing  praises  high 
To  him  who  rides  the  stormy  sky ; 
Make  straight  his  path  with  glad  acclaim  : 
The  Lord  Jehovah  is  his  name. 

The  Father  of  the  orphan  child, 

The  widow's  Judge  and  Saviour  mild, 

He  dwells  in  yon  celestial  place, 

And  rules  the  world  with  glorious  grace. 

God  brings  the  w^and'rer  home  in  peace, 
And  gives  the  fetter' d  feet  release  ; 
But  far,  in  regions  parch'd  and  dry, 
Th'  unhumbled  rebels  pine  and  die. 

Lord,  when  along  the  desert  sands 
From  bondage  came  thy  rescued  bands, 
And  thy  bright  path  their  footsteps  led, 
Earth  shook  beneath  the  awful  tread. 

The  heav'ns  their  Maker's  presence  knew, 
And  fell  in  drops  of  trembling  dew  ; 
And  Sinai  heav'd  its  pillars  fast, 
When  God,  the  God  of  Israel,  pass'd. 

From  thee  came  down  a  gracious  show'r, 
To  stay  thy  pilgrims'  fainting  pow'r, 
11 


1'2'2  PSALM     LXVI1I. 

Till  trod  the  poor  the  homo  of  rest, 
That  thy  rich  love  with  plenty  bless'd. 

The  Lord  the  word  of  triumph  spoke  ; 
The  strain  of  many  a  songstress  woke : 
And  kings  and  armies  fled  away, 
And  peaceful  households  shar'd  the  prey. 

"  In  servile  bonds  too  long  ye  toil'd  ; 

The  .dove's  fair  plumes  were  clipp'd  and  soil'd  : 

But  now  ye  spread  each  silv'ry  fold, 

And  soar  on  pinions  bright  with  gold." 

When  monarchs,  with  their  flying  hosts, 
Were  strew' d  through  all  the  conquer'd  coast>, 
Their  whit'ning  bones  the  vallies  press'd, 
As  white  as  snow  on  Salmon's  crest. 

The  crags  of  Bashan  touch  the  cloud  ; 
Why  scowl  those  envious  summits  proud  ? 
A  nobler  mount  than  Bashan's  swells, 
Where  God  the  Lord  forever  dwells. 

Mid  twice  ten  thousand  chariots  bright, 
Mid  thousand  thousand  hosts  of  light, 
The  Lord  maintains  his  holy  place, 
As  once  on  Sinai's  trembling  base. 

Thou  hast  ascended,  Lord,  on  high, 
And  captive  led  captivity  : 
Thy  triumph's  gifts  and  thine  abode 
On  rebel  man  thy  love  bestow'd. 

Bless'd  be  the  Lord,  who,  day  by  day, 
With  blessings  loads  our  happy  way  ; 
The  Lord  our  Saviour,  strong  to  save, 
Who  opes  and  shuts  th'  impris'ning  grave. 

The  Lord  the  head  of  pride  shall  bow, 
And  spurn  th'  oppressor's  stubborn  brow, 


PSALM     LXVIII.  123 

And  crush  beneath  his  wheels  of  wrath 
The  hosts  that  crowd  the  guilty  path. 

For  God  hath  said,  "  I  lead  once  more 
From  Bashan,  from  the  deep  sea-shore  ; 
The  blood  of  foes  shall  wash  thy  tread, 
And  stain  thy  dogs'  fierce  nostrils  red." 

My  God,  my  King,  before  our  eyes 
How  fair  thy  courts,  thy  train  arise  ; 
The  chanting  crowd,  the  minstrels  sweet, 
The  virgin  timbrels'  measur'd  beat ! 

"  Oh,  bless  our  God,"  so  soars  the  song, 
u  Oh,  bless  the  Lord  where  myriads  throng : 
Let  all  that  flows  from  Israel's  spring 
In  one  loud  swell  his  praises  bring !" 

There  Jacob's  youngest  marshall'd  stands, 
And  Judah's  chiefs,  with  kingly  bands  ; 
The  chiefs  of  northern  Napht'li's  host, 
The  chiefs  of  Zeb'lun's  wealthy  coast* 

God  gives  thy  strength  :  oh,  strengthen  still, 
And  all  thy  work,  our  God,  fulfil : 
Till  kings  with  costly  gifts  shall  wait 
Before  thy  Sion's  temple  gate. 

Rebuke  the  beast  that  shakes  his  reeds, 
The  lordly  herds  on  countless  meads  ; 
And  let  the  wealth  of  nations  shine 
In  peaceful  tribute  at  thy  shrine. 

Oh,  break  the  hosts  whose  joy  is  strife  ; 
From  God  let  kingdoms  ask  their  life  ; 
Let  princes  throng  from  Egypt's  strand, 
And  Afric  spread  her  suppliant  hand. 

Sing,  all  ye  realms,  high  praises  sing, 
A  royal  song  to  God  our  King  : 


124  PSALM     LXVIII. 

The  licav'n  of  heav'na  bean  up  lils  wheels  ; 
His  voice,  a  voice  of  glory,  peals. 

O  God,  in  sov'reign  might  alone, 
How  dreadful  tow'rs  thy  cloudy  throne  ! 
Yet  thou  thy  people's  strength  shalt  yield  : 
Oh,  bless'd  be  God,  his  Israel's  shield  ! 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  or  Song  of  David." 
It  was  undoubtedly  sung  when  the  ark  was  borne  from  the  house  of 
Obed-Edom  to  Mount  Sion;  and  it  appears  as  if  it  may  have  been 
adapted  to  be  dropped  and  resumed  at  intervals,  as  the  procession 
advanced.  The  apostle  Paul  has  applied  one  passage  to  the  ascen- 
sion of  our  Saviour;  of  which  that  solemn  entrance  of  the  ark  into  its 
abode  was  a  majestic  figure. 

Let  God  arise,  and  strew  afar.  This  is  the  same  form  which  was 
uttered  by  Moses,  as  often  as  the  ark  w;ls  taken  up  to  be  removed 
with  the  Israelites  on  their  journeys  in  the  desert. 

Tlie  Lord  Jehovah  is  his  name.  The  name  Jah  is  but  an  abbrevia- 
tion of  Jehovah,  the  title  of  everlasting,  self-existent  Deity. 

Lord,  when  along  the  desert  sands.  Hardly  any  thing  more  noble 
can  be  imagined,  than  the  introduction  of  these  sublime  remembran- 
ces, while  the  ark  proceeded  with  its  splendid  train. 

The  strain  of  many  a  songstress  woke.  "  The  publishers  of  the 
tidings"  are,  in  the  original,  named  l>\  a  feminine  word  :  and  it  seems 
to  allude  to  the  songs  of  Miriam  and  the  other  women  of  Israel. 

In  servile  bonds  too  long  ye  toWd.  This  verse  is  supposed  to  be  the 
song  of  the  women. 

As  white  as  snow  on  Salmon's  crest.  Mount  Salmon  was  that  hill 
near  Shechem,  from  which  Abimelech  and  his  host  cut  down,  every 
man  his  bough,  to  burn  the  tower  of  Shechem.  The  translation 
which  is  here  given  follows  the  most  probable  interpretation  of  a 
difficult  passage.     So  Ovid, 

11  Humanis  ossibus  albet  humus." 

Fast.  i. 
The  soil  is  white  with  bonei  of  men. 

The  rrarrs  of  Baslian  touch  the  cloud.  The  poet  proceeds  to  magnify 
the  hill  01  the  Lord  over  mountains  far  loftier,  but  less  favoured. 
Thus,  the  tall  summits  in  Baahan  look  with  envy  towards  Sion. 

Mid  twin  tM  thousand  chariots  bright.  Here  the  thought  rises,  if  I 
mistake  not,  above  all  the  earthly  pomp  of  the  tabernacle,  to  that 
celestial  splendour  which  could  best  he  compared  with  the  sight  at 
Mount  Sinai. 

Thou  hast  ascended.  Lord,  on  high.  The  train  may  here  be  suppo- 
sed to  be  aacendinf  the  hill.  God  U  entering  into  his  holy  place 
with  all  that  in\  i-iblc  «lor\  which  had  jiM  been  sung.  But  St.  Paul 
fEph.  iv.b.)  teaches  us  to  view  in  this  the  type  of  the  ascending  Re- 
deemer. 


PSALM     LXIX.  1-2-5 

From  Bashan,from  the  deep  seashore.  The  meaning  of  this  verso 
would  seem  to  be,  that  the  future  protection  and  victories  which  the 
Lord  would  grant  his  people  should  not  be  inferior  to  those  which 
had  distinguished  their  ancient  days  of  conquest. 

My  God,  my  King,  before  our  eyes.  Here  the  procession  perhaps 
paused  at  the  entrance  of  the  sacred  courts. 

The  virgin  timbrels1  measured  beat.  The  timbrel  was  an  instrument 
of  hollow  wood,  covered  with  leather  ;  and  was  beaten  with  the  hand, 
for  the  most  part  by  females.  It  was  devoted  to  sacred  and  festival 
occasions. 

T/iere  Jacob's  youngest  marshalVd  stands.  Judah  and  Benjamin 
were  the  two  nearest  of  the  tribes  to  Jerusalem;  and  Zebulun  and 
Naphtali  two  of  the  most  remote  ;  so  that  these  may  well  represent 
the  whole  nation,  near  and  far. 

Rebuke  tlie  beast  that  shakes  his  reeds.  This  is,  probably,  either  the 
crocodile,  the  natural  figure  for  Egypt ;  or  the  lion,  which  often  lies 
among  the  reeds  on  the  banks  of  rivers,  and  would  be  the  image  of 
any  mighty  and  ferocious  enemy. 

The  lordly  herds  on  countless  meads.  All  the  Gentile  nations  are 
denoted  by  these  hosts  of  stronger  and  weaker  animals. 


PSALM   LXIX. 


Save  me,  O  God  !  the  waters  roll, 
And  press  to  drown  my  struggling  soul : 
I  sink  amidst  th'  unfathom'd  deep, 
And  o'er  my  head  wild  billows  sweep. 

With  weary  cries  my  spirit  faints  ; 
My  voice  is  hoarse  with  long  complaints  ; 
My  tearful  eye  has  lost  its  ray, 
So  long  I  wait  my  God's  delay. 

For  more  than  all  my  clust'ring  hair, 
The  foes  whose  causeless  hate  I  bear  ; 
The  slayer's  arm  is  false  and  strong, 
And  wrests  my  right,  for  unknown  wrong. 

Thou,  Lord  of  hosts,  my  soul  canst  see  ; 
It  hides  no  guilty  thought  from  thee  : 
Yet  look  on  those  who  trust  thy  name, 
Nor  bring  their  hope  with  mine  to  shame. 
11* 


PSALM     L  X  I X. 

0  God,  the  ( 

For  thee  I  hide  my  burnl:  _ 

An  JOfl  m  my  brethren's  hearth, 

And  scorn'd  by  mine  own  mothers  birth. 

I  my  breast  insp: 
It  wi  s     a         with  its  sacred  fi 
For,  towards  my  head  t".  -11, 

That  on  thy  name  were  aim'd  to  fall. 

The  sackcloth  robe  I  meekly  bore  ; 
Thv  _        i  _  I  the  more : 

My  soul  in  t  Easting  pin'd. 

And  heard  the  drunkard's  sons:  behind. 

But,  in  an  hour  when  thou  art  n 

k  thine  ear : 
Oh,  let  thine  ancient  love  abound, 
And  thy  salvation  shield  me  round. 

Redeem,  redeem  me,  from  my  fi 
Let  not  ~  '  :-r  me  ck 

Roll  back  d  "helming  wi  \ 

y ; :  drat  me  in  the  darksome  ca 

Oh,  hear  in  thine  abounding  gn? 
Nor  hide,  good  Lord,  thy  glorious  face  : 
Ft  l  wnd  mid  hate  and  grief; 

Oh,  hear  and  haste  with  thy  relief. 

-  all  before  thy  view  ; 
Thou  I  -.hrough : 

Reproach  and  sham  rush'd  my  heart, 

And  rn  3       s  guisfa  start. 

1  graze,  to  catch  some  pitying  eye, 
And  -  friend,  no  mourner  nigh  : 

I  ask'd  far  ;  I  gall  they  gave, 

And  sourM  the  bowl  my  thirst  must  crave. 


PSALM     LXIX.  127 

Oh,  let  their  board  their  bane  prepare, 
And  ev'ry  blessing  hide  a  snare  ; 
Oh,  blind  their  eyes,  and  bow  them  low 
With  thy  fierce  wrath's  consuming  blow. 

And  be  their  home  a  blasted  spot, 
And  be  their  tents  a  scene  forgot ; 
Because  they  triumph  in  thy  stroke, 
D  i  mock  the  heart  thy  rod  has  broke. 

Oh,  for  their  evil,  evil  send  ; 

Pi  r  with  th       _  rirend, 

N  th  the  liv:    _ 

But  blot  them  from  thy  book  of  grace. 

For  me,  though  poor  and  faint  I  lie, 
Bfy  G  :  1  shall  lift  my  head  on  high ; 
And  I  my  thankful  hymn  will  bring, 
And  loud  the  Lord'- 

Such  gift  the  Lord  far  les  rn, 

Than  slaughtered  herds  with  hoof  and  horn  : 
The  humble  eye  shall  sraze  and  glow ; 
The  faithful  heart  in  joy  shall  flow. 

O  God,  who  hear" st  when  want  complains, 
Nor  spurn's] 

Let  heav'n.  a:: d 

And  all  their  dwell;  ;e  ! 

For  God  shall  Sim's  walls  : 

And  Judah's  tow'rs  shall  as  ?  more  ; 

And  there  his  servr.         ^         s      QiesCi 
Where  truth  abides,  and  love  is  bless'd. 

ITS—  For  die  cfcef  nmskaan  on  the  six-strin-fcd  harp,  a 
Psalm  of  David. "  It  can  be  understood  only  when  it  is  viewed  as 
fFO|ihc*k,  of  the  Messiah. 

MwtaksmttwdikUsmeniJtns.    The  apa&ies anpfied  this 
to  the  real  of  our  Saviour,  when  he  drove  the 
the 


123  PSALM     LXX, 

Thr  gate's  vih  gazers  moek'd  the  more  As  the  pates  of  cities  were 
very  public  places,  whore  th<'  courts  were  held,  and  where  the 
multitude  Assembled  for  every  purpose,  the  idle  and  dissolute  would 
naturally  be  there,  deriding  the  righteous  passer. 

And  soufd  the  hoirl  nnj  thirst  /mist  crnrc  u  Vinegar,"  says  Har- 
mar,  "was  in  the  East  me  refreshment  of  a  slave,  of  a  wretched  pris- 
oner." This  was  the  Scripture  which  was  fulfilled  when  our  Lord 
said  upon  the  cross,  "I  thirst."  Prophets  ii  seen  in  these  minute 
circumstances  of  correspondence. 

Oh,  let  their  board  their  bane  prepare .  The  apostle  Paul  (Rom.  xi.) 
regards  this  as  accomplished  in  the  blindness  of  the  Jews,  after  their 
rejection  of  the  Saviour.  Such  denunciations  are  to  be  viewed 
chiefly  in  the  light  of  curses  from  God  upon  the  stubborn  enemies  of 
his  Son. 

Than  slaughtered  herds  with  hoof  and  horn.  "  That  is,"  says  Dr. 
Durell,  "  of  full  age  for  sacrifice,  which  was  three  at  least."  So 
Virgil,  Eel.  hi.  v.  87. 

"Jam  cornu  petat,  et  pedibus  qui  spargat  arenam." 
When  aiming  now  th'  assailant  horn  he  stands, 
And  toss  his  feet  on  high  the  scatter'd  sands. 


PSALM   LXX. 

O  God,  to  whom  my  hope  shall  cling, 

Redeem  my  captive  life  : 
Oh,  come  with  speed  thy  mercy's  wing ; 
Haste,  my  Deliv'rer  and  my  King, 

And  end  this  anxious  strife. 

Lei  shame  and  trouble  whelm  them  all, 

Who  hem  my  guiltless  trade : 
Let  them  who  ask  my  fata]  fall, 
And  loud  "  aha  !"  in  insult  call, 
Be  chas'd  in  ruin  back. 

Joy  1)0  with  them  who  jVty  in  thee, 
Till  "God be  prais'd,"  thery  say: 
And  I,  though  poor  and  lone  1  flee, 
Will  hope  the  Lord's  kind  arm  to  see  : 

My  Cod,  make  no  delay  ! 


PSALM     LXXI.  129 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David,  for  remem- 
brance."    It  is  a  copy  of  the  last  five  verses  of  the  fortieth  Psalm. 

O  God,  to  ichom  my  hope  shall  cling.  Some  special  use  of  the  words 
of  this  Psalm,  in  the  temple  service,  must  probably  have  led  to  its 
separate  insertion  here. 


PSALM  LXXI. 

In  thee,  O  Lord,  I  trust : 

Save  me  from  shame  and  fear ; 

Save  me,  as  thou  art  good  and  just, 
And  bow  thy  gracious  ear. 

Oh,  send  thy  rescuing  pow'r, 

That  I  may  always  flee, 
And  find  my  rock  and  shelt'ring  tow'r, 

And  fortress,  Lord,  in  thee. 

Redeem  me,  God  my  King, 

From  fierce  and  treach'rous  hands  : 
My  only  hope,  from  youth's  fair  spring, 

In  thee  unchanging  stands. 

From  life's  first  dawning  ray, 
From  nature's  ent'ringgate, 

Thy  hand  has  op'd  and  led  my  way, 
That  hand  my  praises  wait. 

Thy  shelter  safe  I  seek, 

While  wond'ring  throngs  adore  ; 
Oh,  let  my  lips  thy  glory  seek, 

My  song  forever  soar. 

And  cast  me  not  away, 

When  age  has  bar'd  my  brow  ; 

Forsake  me  not,  when,  old  and  gray, 
My  falt'ring  limbs  I  bow. 

My  foes'  wild  fury  breaks 
In  one  tumultuous  cry  ; 


130  PSALM     LXXI. 

"  Pursue  and  slay  !  his  God  forsakes  ; 
No  Saviour's  arm  is  nigh." 

Oh,  go  not  far,  my  Lord  ! 

Thy  strong,  swift  aid  disclose  : 
Let  shame  and  scorn  and  woe  reward 

My  soul's  remorseless  foes. 

But  I  will  hope  and  praise, 

And  high  my  song  shall  swell ; 

And  still  my  lips,  through  endless  days, 
Shall  thy  salvation  tell. 

I  cannot  count  thy  gifts, 

But,  clad  in  strength  divine, 
The  praise  my  pilgrim  spirit  lifts 

Is  thine,  is  only  thine. 

My  youth  the  Lord  has  led, 

And  I  his  praise  have  told  : 
Forsake  not,  Lord,  my  hoary  head, 

My  fait' ring  limbs  and  cold  ; 

Till  I  have  shew'd  thy  pow'r 

To  ages  yet  to  be  : 
How  high,  O  Lord,  thy  judgments  tow'r! 

Oh,  who  shall  vie  with  thee  ! 

Thou  gav'st  me  want  and  woe, 
And  thou  shalt  blessing  give  ; 

Till,  bursting  from  the  depths  below, 
My  soul  in  thee  shall  live. 

So,  girt  with  mercy  round, 

Thy  truth,  my  God,  I  sing, 
And  wake  the  harp's  and  psalt'ry's  sound 

To  Israel's  holy  King. 

My  hymn  and  ransom'd  heart 
To  thee  shall  always  rise  ; 


PSALM    LXXIL  131 

For  lo,  th'  cnsnarer  drops  his  dart, 
And,  sham'd  and  silent,  flies. 

NOTES. — This  Psalm  is  without  superscription.  It  is,  however, 
ascribed  by  many  to  the  old  age  of  David,  and  to  the  occasion  of  his 
flight  from  Absalom. 

Bishop  Jewel  requested  that  it  might  be  sung  by  those  around 
him,  just  before  his  death.  It  was  read  also  to  the  excellent  Jones  of 
Nayland  in  his  last  moments ;  and  at  the  end  he  added,  with  great 
mildness  and  composure,  °  if  this  be  dying,  I  had  no  idea  what  dying 
was  before." 

In  thee,  0  Lord,  I  trust.  This  is  also  the  beginning  of  the  thirty- 
first  Psalm.  Transferred  into  the  Te  Deum,  "  in  te,  Domine, 
speravi,"  it  formed  the  last  words  of  Cardinal  Ximenes. 

JVliile  wond' ring  throngs  adore.  They  are  represented  as  wonder- 
ing at  the  greatness  of  the  deliverance. 

And  cast  me  not  away.  Bucer  repeated  these  words  in  his  last 
hours. 


PSALM   LXXIL 


Give,  Lord,  the  king,  the  kingly  heir, 

Thy  sceptre  and  thy  rod  : 
So  shall  the  meek  his  justice  share, 

The  people  of  our  God. 

The  mountain's  sides  with  peace  shall  wave, 
And  truth  the  hills  shall  crown  : 

His  arm  the  sons  of  want  shall  save, 
And  break  th'  oppressor  down. 

Long  as  the  sun  shall  mount  in  light, 

Or  moons  shall  wax  and  wane, 
While  age  by  age  sweeps  on  its  flight, 

Shall  mortals  fear  thy  reign. 

He  shall  come  down,  as  trickling  show'rs, 

O'er  verdant  meadows  flow  ; 
And  still  the  just  shall  bloom  as  flow'rs 

And  peace,  like  spring,  shall  glow. 


13*2  PSALM     LXXII. 

From  sea  to  sea,  from  Eastern  streams 

To  earth's  untrodden  end, 
His  crown  shall  pour  its  glorious  beams, 

His  foes  in  dust  shall  bend. 

The  desert  tribes,  the  island  kings, 
With  costly  gifts  shall  wait ; 

Sheba,  and  Seba,  and  the  wings 
Of  Tarshish'  golden  freight. 

All  monarchs  at  his  feet  shall  bow, 
All  realms  shall  be  his  land  ; 

For  he  shall  hear  the  sufPrer's  vow, 
And  help  the  helpless  hand. 

His  grace  the  humble  shall  redeem 
From  hostile  fraud  and  strife  ; 

And  precious  in  his  high  esteem 
Shall  be  their  guarded  life. 

So  shall  he  live,  through  endless  days, 
Mid  Sheba's  treasures  crown'd  ; 

And  for  his  sake  shall  pray'r  and  praise 
Lift  high  their  daily  sound. 

The  blade  that  on  the  mountain  starts 

Like  Lebanon  shall  nod  : 
As  fair  shall  bloom  the  crowded  marts 

As  blooms  the  rural  sod. 

His  name  shall  stand,  when  last  the  sun 
Shall  tinge  the  purple  West  ; 

And  cvVv  Kingdom,  link'd  in  one, 
Shall  bless  him,  and  be  bless'd. 

Forever  prais'd  be  God  the  Lord, 

Our  Israel's  Saviour  Strong: 
Let  all  the  earth  his  name  record, 
His  glorious  praise  prolong ! 

Amen,  Amen. 


PSALM     LXXIII.  133 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  Solomon."  It  has  been  frequently  sup- 
posed to  relate  to  this  king,  and  to  have  been  written  by  David  in  an- 
ticipation of  the  accession  of  his  son.  But  it  is  possible,  also,  that 
Solomon,  amidst  the  glories  of  his  own  reign,  may  have  looked  for- 
ward to  the  happier  kingdom  of  the  Messiah,  and  have  thus  sung  of 
its  peace. 

The  mountain's  sides  icith  peace  shall  wave.  The  boldness  of  these 
figures  will  not  surprise  any  reader  of  the  Scriptures  ;  though,  in  a 
writer  of  our  own  climate  and  age,  it  might  be  startling. 

From  sea  to  sea,  from  Eastern  streams.  The  Euphrates  is  H  the 
river,"  which  is  here  employed,  as  if  to  denote  the  Eastern  limits  of 
the  world. 

Sheba,  and  Seba,  and  the  icings.  Sheba  was  probably  a  region  of 
Arabia  Felix,  or  a  country  on  the  opposite  shore  in  Africa,  renowned 
for  its  gold  and  spices.  Seba  was  the  name  of  a  country  and  city  of 
Ethiopia  ;  the  celebrated  Meroe  of  the  ancient^. 

The  blade  that  on  the  mountain  starts.  A  little  grass,  on  a  barren 
mountain,  is  an  apt  figure  of  the  beginning  of  the  church  of  Christ ; 
and  Lebanon,  nodding  with  all  its  cedars,  does  not  too  boldly  express 
its  growth. 

As  fair  shall  bloom  the  crowded  marts.  The  universal  effects  and 
progress  of  the  Gospel  seem  to  be  denoted  by  this  universal  beauty 
of  nature. 

This  Psalm  closes  the  second  Book  of  the  Masoretic  division;  and 
is  followed  by  these  words,  "the  Prayers  of  David  the  Son  of  Jesse 
are  ended."  It  is  possible  that  some  earlier  collection  of  Psalms 
closed  with  this.  Otherwise  it  would  be  hard  to  explain  such  an 
addition,  since  there  are  many  other  Psalms,  after  this,  which  are 
ascribed  to  David,  and  many  which  are  undoubtedly  from  his  hand. 


PSALM   LXXIII. 

Yes,  to  Israel  God  is  kind, 
Gracious  to  the  pure  in  mind  : 
Yet,  with  thronging  doubts  assail'd, 
Once  my  feet  almost  had  fail'd. 

Weak  I  paus'd,  and  wav'ring  stood  ; 
For  I  mark'd  th'  ungodly' s  good  ; 
And  my  heart,  in  envious  gloom, 
Watch'dthe  sinner's  prosp'rous  doom. 

On  in  fearless  strength  they  tread, 
Till  they  slumber  with  the  dead  ; 

12 


134  PSALM    LXXIII. 

Naught  they  know  of  mortal  cares, 
Mortal  burden  ne'er  was  theirs. 

Therefore  pride  their  necks  hath  bound ; 
Strife,  as  raiment,  wraps  them  round : 
Swell  their  eyes,  with  lux'ry  blind ; 
Fortune  leaves  their  wish  behind. 

High  and  cruel  words  they  pour ; 
High  their  tyrant  boastings  soar  : 
Heav'n  their  mouth's  defiance  hears, 
And  their  tongue  o'er  earth  careers. 

So  return  their  people  still, 

Joy's  wild  cup  to  drain  and  fill : 

11  How  shall  God  discern  ?"  they  cry  ; 

"  Is  there  knowledge  hid  on  high  ?" 

Lo,  th'  ungodly  prosper  so  ; 
So  their  peaceful  riches  grow  : 
From  my  hands  and  heart  in  vain 
I  have  wash'd  the  guilty  stain. 

Still  till  eve  my  spirit  pines, 
On  my  woe  the  morning  shines  : 
Yet,  if  thus  my  lips  shall  say, 
From  thy  children  I  shall  stray. 

So  my  dazzled  eyes  and  thought 
Long  in  vain  repose  had  sought, 
Till  to  God's  high  courts  I  drew  ; 
There  the  sinner's  end  I  knew. 

On  a  slipp'ry  path  they  go, 
To  a  sudden,  swift  o'erthrow  : 
In  a  moment  they  decay, 
And  in  terrors  pass  away. 

As  the  morning  drettmer  wakes, 
So  the  Lord  their  slumber  breaks  ; 


PSALM     LXXIII.  13-3 

As  a  dream  when  sleep  is  past, 
Flits  their  image  on  the  blast. 

Vainly  was  my  bosom  torn  ; 
Foolish  rose  my  doubt  forlorn  ; 
Senseless  as  the  beasts  that  die, 
I  arraign' d  the  will  most  High. 

Still  by  thee,  with  thee,  I  stand  ; 
Thou  hast  held  me  by  thy  hand  : 
With  thy  counsel  guide  me  now  ; 
Then  to  glory  welcome  thou  ! 

Whom  have  I  in  heav'n  but  thee  ? 
Whom  so  dear  on  earth  to  me  ? 
Heart  and  flesh  may  fail  and  pine  ; 
God  my  strength  shall  then  be  mine  ; 

Then,  my  fainting  bosom's  health, 
Then,  my  soul's  eternal  wealth  ; 
When  the  wand'rers  from  thy  path 
Perish  in  thy  wasting  wrath. 

Lord  my  God,  my  soul  is  bless'd, 
At  thy  feet  to  bow  and  rest : 
All  my  trust  to  God  shall  cling, 
While  his  wondrous  works  I  sing, 

NOTES.— "A  Psalm  of  Asaph."  The  bold  and  lofty  style,  and 
the  didactic  character,  mark  it  as  indeed  the  production  of  that  majes- 
tic singer. 

Yes,  to  Israel  God  is  kind.  This  abrupt  beginning  is  very  expres- 
sive of  the  conflicting  thoughts  of  the  poet. 

T/iercfore,  pride  their  necks  luith  bound.  Pride  is  compared  with  a 
chain  of  gold,  bound  about  the  neck. 

Swell tlieir  eyes,  with  luz'ry  blind.  So  Eliphaz,  (Job  xv.  27.)  speak- 
ing of  die  wicked, 

"  Because  he  covereth  his  face  with  his  fatness." 
And  tlieir  tongue  o'er  earth  careers.     It  goes  abroad,  like  a  robber, 
to  destroy  the  character  and  the  happiness  of  many. 

So  return  their  people  still.  The  elliptical  conciseness  of  the  original 
renders  this  passage  very  obscure  ;  but  the  sense  which  is  here  given 
seems  best  to  harmonize  with  the  tenor  of  what  precedes  and  follows. 


136 


PSALM     LXXIV. 


Till  to  God's  high  courts  I  drew.  This  may  be  an  instance,  I  be- 
lieve, of  that  mode  of  speech  ill  which  the  outward  forms  and  worship 
of  the  Mosaic  system  are  distinctly  named  as  the  figure  of  something 
inward  and  spiritual.  For,  it  was  in  communion  with  God  and  in 
the  study  of  his  word  that  the  Psalmist  learned  this  truth,  but  perhaps 
not  from  any  immediate  instruction  in  the  temple  or  synagogue. 


PSALM   LXXIV. 


Oh,  wherefore  mourn  we,  God  of  grace, 
Forever  exil'd  from  thy  face  ? 
Why  thus  around  thy  flock  and  fold 
Has  wrath's  hot  smoke  its  blackness  roll'd? 

Think  on  the  people  thou  hast  bought, 
The  tribes  thine  arm  from  bondage  brought ; 
Think  on  Mount  Sion's  chosen  halls, 
And  turn  thee  tow'rds  their  wasted  walls. 

The  foe's  bold  feet  profane  thy  soil ; 
Thy  foes  rush  in  with  crime  and  spoil : 
They  shout  within  thy  place  of  pray'r, 
And  lift  their  conqu'ring  standards  there. 

Once,  he  whose  arm  was  strong  to  fell. 
In  the  thick  forest  prov'd  it  well : 
But  now  the  axe  and  hammer  ring, 
Where  down  the  chiselTd  work  they  fling. 

They  give  thy  temple  to  the  blaze, 
Thy  name's  abode  they  stain  and  raze  : 
"Destroy  we  all,"  their  hearts  exclaim, 
And  all  the  land  sends  up  the  flame. 

No  house  of  God  its  portal  rears  ; 

No  sign  in  heav'n  or  earth  appears  ; 
No  prophet  pours  a  soothing  song  ; 
And  no  man's  heart  can  tell  how  long. 


PSALM     LXXIV.  137 

How  long,  O  God,  shall  hate  revile  ? 
How  long  thy  foes  blaspheming  smile  ? 
Why  lies  thy  arm'd  right  hand  in  rest  ? 
Oh,  pluck  it  from  thy  sheathing  breast ! 

God  is  our  King  from  days  of  old  ; 
The  earth  thy  saving  strength  has  told  : 
Thy  might  the  roaring  waters  clave, 
And  crush'd  the  dragons  of  the  wave. 

It  trampled  down  the  monster's  head  ; 
The  desert  dwellers  saw  and  fed  : 
It  op'd  the  fount,  the  torrent's  tide, 
And  miohtv  streams  it  check'd  and  dried. 

The  day  is  thine,  the  night  is  thine  ; 
By  thee  the  sunbeams  rise  and  shine  ; 
Earth's  utmost  borders  thou  hastspann'd, 
And  all  the  seasons  praise  thy  hand. 

Remember,  Lord,  th'  opposers'  crowd, 
The  fool's  blasphemings,  bold  and  loud  : 
Forsake  not  thou  thy  mourning  dove, 
But  shield  the  people  of  thy  love. 

Think  on  the  cov'nant :  ev'iy  clime 
Sees  the  dark  holds  of  cruel  crime  : 
Oh,  turn  not  back  th'  oppress'd  with  shame  ; 
Let  want  and  woe  extol  thy  name. 

Arise,  O  God,  thy  cause  maintain ; 
Think  on  the  fools'  blaspheming  train  ; 
Forget  thou  not  their  guilty  cry  ; 
Each  day,  each  hour,  it  swells  on  high  ! 

NOTES.— "A  Poem  of  Asaph."  This  title,  however,  must  be 
incorrect,  as  the  Psalm  is  obviously  from  a  later  age  ;  and  no  other 
occasion  can  well  be  fixed  for  the  events  to  which  it  alludes,  except 
the  victorious  assault  of  the  Chaldeans  upon  the  city,  and  its  subse- 
quent desolation.  Archbishop  Seeker  judges  it  probable  that  this 
Psalm  and  some  others  describe  prophetically  the  present  condition 
of  the  Jews.  r  J         k 

12* 


13S  PSALM     LXXV. 

Once  lie  whose  arm  was  Strang  to  fell.  Mr.  Merrick  gives  a  slightly 
different  sense,  with  elegance,  though  diffusely  j 

"As  when  the  woodman's  stroke  invades 
The  lofty  grove's  duck-woven  shades, 
So  through  thy  temple's  awful  hounds 
Now  here,  now  there,  the  axe  resounds ; 
And  down  in  shapeless  ruins  fall 
The  sculptures  fair  thai  grae'd  its  wall, 
Rich witli the  forests  noblest  spoil, 
And  wrought  hy  heaven-directed  toil." 

Mr.  Goode  has  still  another  idea ; 

"  Once  the  wise,  with  skilful  hand, 
Where  the  trees  thick  shading  stand, 
O'er  the  houghs  the  axe  inclin'd, 
For  the  temple's  use  design'd. 
But,  alas  !  with  impious  stroke 
Now  its  heauteous  frame  is  broke  ; 
Torn  from  off  its  sacred  walls, 
Carv'd  with  art,  its  glory  falls. 

No  house  of  God  its  portal  rears.  Synagogues  seem  not  yet  to 
have  been  established;  but  there  may  have  been  places  of  resort  for 
religious  instruction,  not  altogether  unlike  them  ;  for  the  people  ap- 
pear to  have  gone,  for  such  purposes,  to  the  prophets  and  priests. 

No  prophet  pours  his  soothing  song.  Jeremiah  was,  indeed,  living  ; 
but  he  had  been  persecuted,  and  forbidden  to  prophesy ;  nor  is  a 
single  expression  of  this  kind,  in  poetry,  to  be  pressed  in  the  utmost 
strictness  of  possible  interpretation. 

And  crush? d  tlie  dragons  of  the  wave.  Pharaoh  and  his  host  are 
compared  with  the  crocodiles  and  other  monstrous  animals  of  the 
Red  Sea. 

The  desert  dwellers  saw  and  fed.  The  bodies  cast  upon  the  shore 
were  devoured  by  the  wild  beasts  which  inhabit  the  wilderness;  or, 
perhaps,  plundered  by  the  neighbouring  tribes. 

Forsake  not  tfiou  thy  mourning  dove.  This  is  the  well  known  em- 
blem of  the  afllicted  church. 


PSALM   LXXV. 


To  thee,  O  God,  our  praise  we  owe, 

To  thee  our  praise  we  pay  : 
Thy  wondrous  works,  that  round  us  glow, 

Thy  radiant  name  display. 


PSALM     LXXV.  139 

When  I  th'  assembly's  sceptre  take, 

With  me  shall  justice  reign  : 
Earth  and  its  nations  pine  and  quake  ; 

Its  pillars  I  maintain. 

"  Be  fools  no  more,"  to  fools  I  cried, 

"  Nor  lift  your  impious  horn  ; 
Lift  high  no  more  the  horn  of  pride, 

Nor  boast  with  necks  of  scorn. 

No  breeze  from  East  or  West  or  South 

Can  pow'r  and  honour  blow  ; 
One  righteous  word  from  God's  own  mouth 

Exalts  and  levels  low." 

In  God's  right  hand  a  wine-cup  gleams, 

Its  brim  is  sparkling  high  ; 
He  pours  for  guilt  its  blood-red  streams, 

And  guilt  must  drain  them  dry. 

But  I  to  Jacob's  God  will  wake 

My  ceaseless  song  and  vow : 
My  might  th'  ungodly's  horn  shall  break, 

And  lift  the  righteous  brow. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  Destroy  not,  a  Psalm  or 
Song  of  Asaph."  It  is  impossible  to  determine  its  true  origin  ;  hut 
if  it  was  from  Asaph,  the  second  verse  must  relate  exclusively  to 
Christ. 

Nor  lift  your  impious  horn.     As  the  sign  of  strength  and  pride  in 
those  beasts  that  bear  it,  the  horn  became  the  emblem  of  these  quali- 
ties in  man.     So  Horace,  addressing  wine, 
"  Addis  cornua  pauperi." 

Cann.  L.  3.  v.  15,  13. 
Thou  giv'st  the  poor  man  horns  of  might. 
So  also  Ovid, 

u  Tunc  pauper  cornua  sumit." 

Ar.  Am.  L.  i.  239. 
Then  the  poor  beggar  takes  the  horns  of  pride. 


140  PSALM     LXXVI. 


PSALM   LXXVI. 

Our  God  in  Israel's  songs  is  great, 

His  name  in  Judah  known  ; 
In  Salem  shines  his  kingly  state, 

And  Sion  is  his  throne. 

There  brake  his  hands  the  hostile  bow, 

And  dash'd  its  lightnings  wide  : 
The  shield  and  sword  were  trampled  low, 

And  war's  wild  tumult  died. 

Fair  mount,  with  God's  own  presence  crown'd, 

More  strong  is  thine  array, 
Than  tenfold  hosts  that  guard  around 

The  robber's  hills  of  prey. 

The  stout  of  heart  were  spoil'd  in  flight; 

A  deadly  sleep  they  slept : 
Not  one  of  all  the  men  of  might 

His  hand's  old  cunning  kept. 

O  Jacob's  God,  at  thy  command 

Chariot  and  steed  went  down  : 
Thou,  thou  art  dreadful ;  who  can  stand 

Before  thine  angry  frown  ? 

From  heav'n  thy  voice  its  thunders  gave, 

And  earth  stood  still,  and  fear'd  ; 
When  God,  the  humble  souls  to  save, 

His  arm  in  judgment  rear'd. 

The  wrath  of  man  thy  praise  shall  bring  ; 

Its  remnant  thou  shah  stay: 
Ye  nations,  vow  to  God  your  King, 

Your  homage  vow,  and  pay. 

From  far  and  near,  with  ofPringS  bow'd, 
His  awful  throne  adore  ; 


PSALM     LXXVII.  141 

His  awful  throne,  who  quells  the  proud, 
The  kings  of  ev'ry  shore. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician  on  the  stringed  instruments, 
a  Psalm  or  Song  of  Asaph."  It  is  commonly  supposed  to  have  been 
written  after  the  destruction  of  the  army  of  Semiacherib. 

And  dash'd  its  lightnings  icidc.  The  lightnings  of  the  bow  are  its 
arrows,  which  are  made  powerless  by  divine  intervention. 

The  robber's  hills  of  prey.  However  strongly  defended  may  be  the 
castles  and  holds  of  the  wicked,  they  are  not  so  impregnable  as  the 
city  where  the  Lord  has  his  dwelling. 

Its  remnant  tlwu  shalt  stay.  I  have  followed  the  authorized  transla- 
tion, though  the  exact  meaning  is  not  very  well  decided.  De  Wette 
would  render  it,  "  with  the  last  anger  thou  girdest  thyself;"  in  the 
sense  that,  as  a  warriour  reserves  hi>  last  weapons  for  extreme  need, 
so  God  reserves  his  extraordinary  judgments  for  extraordinary  emer- 
gencies. 


PSALM   LXXVII. 

My  voice  to  God  ascends  ; 

To  God  my  voice  shall  cry  : 
I  seek  the  Lord,  whose  ear  attends, 

Though  trouble  clouds  the  sky. 

All  night  my  hands  I  spread, 

Nor  rest  nor  comfort  bear ; 
Grief's  wildest  waves  o'erflow  my  head, 

And  groans  are  all  my  pray'r. 

I  think  on  thee,  and  sigh  ; 

My  weary  lips  are  dumb  : 
Sleep  flies  afar  my  straining  eye, 

That  strains  to  see  thee  come. 

I  think  on  days  of  old, 

On  years  departed  long, 
With  mine  own  breast  communion  hold, 

And  wake  my  nightly  song. 


142  PSALM     LXXVII. 

Then  asks  my  anxious  heart, 

11  Will  God  forever  spurn  ? 
And  shall  his  mercy  quite  depart, 

His  smile  no  more  return  ? 

Forgets  the  Lord  his  grace, 

His  promise  pledg'd  of  old  ? 
Or  shall  no  more  his  heav'nly  place 

Its  gates  of  love  unfold  ?n 

But  other  thoughts  reply, 

"  There  spake  a  heart  that  bleeds  :" 
Thy  years  I  ponder,  Hand  most  High, 

And  think  on  all  thy  deeds. 

Thy  fame  my  lips  shall  sound  ; 

Thine  ancient  might  I  see  : 
Thy  path,  O  God,  is  holy  ground ; 

Oh,  who  is  God  like  thee  ? 

Thy  might,  O  wondrous  God, 

Far  o'er  the  nations  beam'd, 
When  first  thy  red  right  arm  and  rod 

Thy  patriarch's  sons  redecm'd. 

The  waters  saw  thee,  Lord  ; 

The  waters  saw  thy  look ; 
They  fear'd  to  hear  thy  thund'ring  word ; 

The  depth's  high  caverns  shook. 

In  floods  the  clouds  came  down ; 

Thy  voice  was  in  the  sky  ; 
And  mid  the  whirlwind's  black'ning  frown 

Thine  arrows  hurtled  by. 

Thy  thunders  roll'd  inheav'n, 

Thy  lightnings  lit  die  world, 
And  earth  beneath  thy  feet  was  riv'n, 

And  ocean's  billows  curl'd. 


PSALM     LXXVIII.  1^3 

There  went  thy  steps  unseen  ; 

The  waves  withheld  their  shock ; 
Moses  and  Aaron  pass'd  between ; 

The  shepherds  and  the  flock. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  for  Jeduthun,  a  Psalm  of 
Asaph."  The  occasion  of  this  beautiful  Psalm  must  remain  in  ob- 
scurity.    It  is  only  evident  that  it  was  some  period  of  affliction. 

To  God  my  voice  sliall  cry.  The  repetition  is  natural;  in  great 
earnestness  of  grief. 

Thy  years  I  ponder,  Hand  most  High.  In  the  remembrance  of  the 
ancient  wonders  of  God,  when  he  led  the  Israelites  from  Egypt 
through  the  Red  Sea,  the  Psalmist  finds  triumphant  consolation. 


PSALM    LXXVIII. 

Hear  this  my  law  ;  my  people,  hear  ; 
And  give  my  words  your  patient  ear ; 
My  lips  with  lessons  wise  shall  flow, 
My  mouth  shall  ancient  secrets  show. 

We  heard  them  from  our  hoary  sires, 
Nor  on  our  tongues  the  tale  expires  ; 
Our  sons  the  Lord's  high  praise  shall  swell, 
And  far  his  glorious  wonders  tell. 

For  he  a  law  in  Jacob  set, 
And  sire  and  son  might  ne'er  forget ; 
Our  sires  preserv'd  it  for  their  heirs, 
Our  sons  shall  yield  it  pure  to  theirs  ; 

That  on  their  God  they  rest  them  still, 
And  love  his  name,  and  work  his  will, 
Nor,  like  their  fathers'  faithless  heart, 
From  God's  unchanging  cause  depart. 

So  Ephraim's  archers  turn'd  away, 
And  fled  in  battle's  stormy  day, 
Forsook  his  cov'nant  and  his  law, 
Forgot  the  works  their  fathers  saw ; 


Hi  PSALM     LXXVIII. 

The  wonders  wrought  on  Egypt's  strand, 
The  signs  in  Zoan's  fruitful  hind  ; 
He  cleft  their  passage  through  the  deep, 
And  pil'd  the  billows'  rampart  heap. 

He  march'd  before  their  fainting  sight, 
A  cloud  by  day,  a  fire  by  night ; 
He  smote  the  rock,  and  waters  burst, 
And  desert  torrents  cool'd  their  thirst. 

They  sinn'd  the  more  ;  and  pride  and  lust 
Denied  the  arm  most  High  their  trust : 
Their  hearts  the  Lord's  lonGf-suflf'rins:  tried, 
Their  murm'ring  lips  for  banquets  cried. 

11  Can  God  e'en  here  a  table  spread, 
And  give  his  people  plenteous  bread  ? 
He  smote  the  rock,  and  torrents  pour'd ; 
Can  that  same  hand  heap  high  our  board  ?" 

Then  heard  the  Lord,  and  fast  as  fire 
Through  Israel  swept  his  blazing  ire  : 
On  unbelief  its  vengeance  came, 
And  harden'd  hearts  provok'd  the  flame. 

For  he  had  op'd  th'  eternal  doors, 
And  bade  the  clouds  unlock  their  stores  : 
The  manna's  grain  of  heav'n  they  rain'd, 
And  food  from  angels  man  sustain' d. 

But  now  he  sent  the  eastern  blast, 
And  in  his  pow'r  the  south  wind  pass'd ; 
And  flesh,  like  dust,  o'erspread  the  land, 
And  birds,  like  ocean's  countless  sand. 

Through  all  their  camp  it  lay  around  ; 
At  ev'ry  tent  it  si  rew'd  the  ground  : 
They  feasted  long  as  lust  could  crave, 
For  all  their  heart's  desire  he  gave. 


PSALM     LXXVIII.  145 

But  ere  their  joyous  tumult  ceas'd, 
The  wrath  of  God  disturb' d  the  feast ; 
He  smote  the  rev'llers  in  their  pride, 
And  Israel's  chosen  bow'd  and  died. 

Again,  again,  they  rush'd  to  sin, 
Nor  all  his  works  their  trust  could  win  : 
And  therefore  sped  their  days  and  years 
In  fruitless  toil  and  frequent  tears. 

Bow'd  down  beneath  his  wasting  rod, 
They  early  turn'd,  and  sought  their  God ; 
To  God  their  Rock  they  rais'd  their  eye, 
To  their  Redeemer,  God  most  High. 

But  vain  the  vows  their  sorrow  wrung, 
And  falsely  pray'd  their  trembling  tongue  ; 
Their  treach'rous  heart  was  never  true, 
And  far  his  cov'nant's  bands  they  threw. 

Yet  oft  the  gracious  God  forgave  ; 
He  stay'd  his  wrath,  he  long'd  to  save  : 
He  knew  us  flesh,  howe'er  we  soar  ; 
A  wind  that  goes,  and  comes  no  more. 

How  many  a  time  their  souls  rebel?  d, 
While  yet  their  desert  way  they  held  ; 
Against  their  Lord  to  murmurs  broke, 
And  dar'd  their  holy  Sov'reign's  stroke  ! 

They  thought  not  on  his  rescuing  arm  ; 
The  day  he  sav'd  from  hate  and  harm ; 
The  wonders  wrought  on  Egypt's  strand, 
The  signs  in  Zoan's  fruitful  land  ; 

How,  red  with  blood  roll'd  by  the  wave, 
Nor  one  pure  fount  its  waters  gave  ; 
How  insect  clouds  above  them  low'r'd, 
And  marshy  swarms  their  land  devour'd. 
13 


116  PSALM     LXXVIII. 

The  wasting  worm  laid  bare  their  soil ; 
The  locust  reap'd  their  yearly  toil ; 
Their  vines  to  earth  the  hailstones  bore, 
Their  spreading  fig-trees  leafless  tore. 

Their  herds  the  tempest's  prey  he  doom'd, 
Their  flocks  his  fiery  shafts  consum'd  ; 
He  sent  them  vengeance,  wrath  and  woe, 
And  angels  came  for  ill  below. 

He  gave  his  fury  pathway  wide ; 
The  pest  swept  onward,  and  they  died  : 
On  Egypt's  chosen  fell  the  sword  ; 
The  tents  of  Ham  their  flow'r  deplor'd. 

But  forth,  across  the  desert's  sands, 
Like  flocks  he  led  his  people's  bands  : 
With  him  they  march'd,  without  a  fear  ; 
The  whelming  waters  clos'd  their  rear. 

To  his  own  land  their  tribes  he  brought, 
The  holy  mount  his  arm  had  bought ; 
Afar  he  strew'd  the  heathen  hosts, 
And  Israel  dwelt  through  all  their  coasts. 

And  yet  was  God  most  High  defied  ; 
Yet  turn'd  they  from  his  laws  aside  ; 
Back,  on  their  fathers'  path,  would  go  ; 
And  started,  like  a  treach'rous  bow. 

With  idol  shrines  they  mock'd  the  Lord  ; 
He  heard,  and  Israel's  race  abhorr'd  : 
No  more  his  light  on  Shiloh  glow'd, 
The  tent  where  God  with  men  abode. 

He  gave  his  strength  to  stranger  lands, 
His  glorious  ark  to  foemen's  hands  : 
The  sword  amid  his  people  fed, 
And  in  his  wrath  his  chosen  bled. 


PSALM     LXXVIII.  147 

Red  o'er  their  youths  the  death-fire  blaz'd  ; 
No  nuptial  song  their  virgins  rais'd ; 
Their  priesthood  fell  before  their  foes  ; 
And  yet  no  widow's  wail  arose. 

Then  woke  the  Lord,  as  dreamers  wake, 
When  sleep  and  wine  their  soul  forsake  ; 
As  starts  a  giant  with  a  shout, 
He  chas'd  their  foes  in  shameful  rout. 

But  not  e'en  then  on  Joseph's  tent, 
Or  Ephraim's  tribe,  his  choice  was  bent : 
He  chose  the  men  of  Judah's  race  ; 
He  chose  Mount  Sion's  holy  place. 

Firm  as  the  heav'ns  its  base  he  cast, 
Firm  as  the  earth's  foundations  fast: 
Then  from  the  folds  his  servant  led, 
And  fix'd  the  crown  on  David's  head. 

He  brought  him  from  the  pasture's  mead, 
*His  Israel's  flock  to  rule  and  feed  : 
He  fed  them  with  an  upright  heart, 
And  rul'd  their  way  with  princely  art. 

NOTES. — "A  Poem  of  Asaph."  It  is  probably  ascribed  to  him 
with  justice,  and  seems  to  have  been  composed  during  the  reign  of 
David,  or  immediately  afterwards. 

So  Ephraim's  archers  turn'd  away.  There  appears  to  be  here  an 
allusion  to  some  historical  circumstance,  not  recorded  in  the  Scrip- 
tures. 

The  signs  in  Zoan's  fruitful  land.  Zoan  is  given,  in  the  version  of 
the  Septnagint,  by  Tains,  the  name  of  the  seat  of  the  Pharaohs. 

And  started,  like  a  treuclCrous  bow.  They  are  compared  with  a 
bow,  the  string  of  which,  starting  accidentally  from  the  hand,  sends 
the  arrow  far  aside  from  the  mark. 

No  more  his  light  on  Shiloh  gloic'd.  The  calamitous  wars  with  the 
Philistines  are  now  introduced. 


14S  PSALM     LXXIX. 


PSALM   LXXIX. 

O  God,  the  heathen  tread  thy  soil ; 
Thine  holy  house  they  stain  and  spoil ; 

And  Sion's  turrets  heap  the  ground  : 
Thy  saintly  servants'  flesh  is  giv'n 
To  beasts  of  earth  and  birds  of  heav'n, 

And  blood  unburied  streams  around. 

Scorn  mocks  our  woe,  where'er  we  turn  : 
How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  vengeance  burn  ? 

And  shall  thy  wrath  no  more  forbear  ? 
Oh,  on  the  heathen  pour  its  flame  ; 
The  hosts  that  call  not  on  thy  name, 

That  waste  thine  Israel's  dwelling  fair. 

Oh,  think  not  on  transgressions  past ; 
Thy  mercy's  shield  around  us  cast ; 

And  haste,  for  crush'd  in  dust  we  bow  ; 
O  God  our  Saviour,  for  thy  sake, 
Forgive  our  sins,  our  bondage  break, 

And  shew  thine  ancient  glory  now. 

Why  should  they  cry,  "  where  sleeps  their  God  ?" 
Oh,  for  thy  servants'  bloody  sod, 

Reveal  thy  judgment  in  our  sight : 
Hear  thou  the  pris'ner's  contrite  sigh, 
And  save  the  wretch  who  waits  to  die, 

Save,  in  the  greatness  of  thy  might. 

And  let  a  sev'nfold  vengeance  rest 
Hard  on  the  proud  blasphemer's  breast, 

Whose  bold  blasphemings  round  us  ring; 
While  we,  the  people  of  thy  fold, 
Shall  tell  the  works  our  eyes  behold, 

And  thy  dear  praise  forever  sing. 


PSALM    LXXX.  149 

NOTES. — "A  Psalm  of  Asaph."  It  was  probably  written  about 
the  same  period  with  the  seventy-fourth,  soon  after  the  capture  of 
Jerusalem  by  the  Chaldeans. 

Oh,  on  tlie  lwatlien  pour  its  flame.  This  passage  is  found  in  the  book 
of  Jeremiah  ;  (x.  25.)  but  which  is  the  original,  and  which  the  quota- 
tion, may  be  doubtful. 

Hard  on  tlie  proud  blasphemer's  breast.  So,  in  St.  Luke;  (vi.  38.) 
u  good  measure,  pressed  down,  and  shaken  together,  and  running 
over,  shall  men  give  into  your  bosom."  The  figure  is  that  of  a  per- 
son extending  a  vessel  or  cloth,  which,  when  it  is  filled,  overflows 
into  his  arms. 


PSALM   LXXX. 


Shepherd  of  Israel,  thou  whose  crook 
Has  led  thy  flock  of  Joseph's  line, 

Thou  on  whose  throne  the  cherubs  look, 
Oh,  hear  our  cry,  and  o'er  us  shine. 

Oh,  come  while  Rachel's  children  see, 
And  bare  thine  arm  of  saving  might ; 

And  turn  us,  Lord,  once  more  to  thee, 
And  lift  thy  smile,  and  all  is  light. 

Lord  God  of  hosts,  when  cease  the  years, 
That  wrath  against  our  pray'rs  shall  glow  ? 

Thou  giv'st  thy  people  bread  of  tears, 
And  bitter  tears  their  cup  o'erflow. 

Our  foes  deride  us  while  we  flee  ; 

Our  conqu'rors  o'er  their  captives  fight : 
But  turn  us,  Lord  of  hosts,  to  thee, 

And  lift  thy  smile,  and  all  is  light. 

Thou  brought' st  a  vine  from  Egypt's  strand, 
And  drav'st  afar  the  heathen  hosts  ; 

It  hung  its  foliage  o'er  the  land, 

It  stretch'd  its  roots  through  all  our  coasts. 

The  hills  beneath  its  shadow  rose  ; 
Its  boughs  like  giant  cedars  spread  ; 

13* 


150  PSALM     LXXX. 

They  spread  to  where  Euphrates  flows, 
They  spread  to  western  ocean's  bed. 

Why  mourns  it  now  its  guardless  bow'rs, 
Its  grapes,  the  scornful  passer's  spoil  ? 

The  field's  wild  brood  its  fruit  devours  ; 
The  forest  boar  uproots  its  soil. 

O  God  of  hosts,  return  thou  y'et, 

And  see  from  heav'n  this  wasted  vine  ; 

The  root  that  thy  right  hand  hath  set, 
The  branch  upheld  andown'd  for  thine. 

All  burn'd  or  fell'd,  it  strews  the  sand  ; 

Yet  all  its  foes  thy  frown  shall  blast ; 
Oh,  on  the  man  of  thy  right  hand, 

Shew  that  strong  hand  forever  fast. 

So,  from  thy  paths  no  more  wre  flee  : 
So,  give  us  life,  to  praise  thy  might ; 

And  turn  us,  God  of  hosts,  to  thee, 
And  lift  thy  smile,  and  all  is  light. 

NOTES. — u  For  the  chief  musician  upon  the  six-stringed  Iyrer 
a  Psalm  of  Asaph."  It  was  probably  one  of  the  Psalms  of  the  cap- 
tivity. 

Has  led  thy  flock  of  Joseph's  line.  One  family,  one  of  the  most 
distinguished,  is  mentioned  for  the  whole  of  the  posterity  of  Jacob. 
In  the  same  maimer,  Ephraim,  Benjamin,  and  JNIanasseh,  all  de- 
scended from  Rachel,  are  afterwards  mentioned  instead  of  the  nation. 
Although  the  ten  tribes,  as  a  body,  had  been  led  away  captive  by  the 
Assyrians,  ye!  undoubtedly  multitudes  were  left  behind,  who,  in  a 
few  generations,  wottld  again  occupy,  to  no  small  extent,  the  place 
of  their  fathers.  Merrick  suggests  that  the  Psalm  may  have  been 
composed    at    a   time  when   the  territories  of  these  tribes,  who  were 

neighbours,  were  threatened  or  invaded  by  an  enemy. 

And  turn  us,  Lordf  once  more  to  thee.  These  words  have  the  as- 
pect of  a  chorus,  to  be  chanted  by  the  people. 

Thou  brought1  §i  a  vine  from  Egypt's  strand*  The  same  compari- 
son is  found  in  the  fifth  chapter  of  Isaiah. 

Thry  mwnad  to  when  Euphrates  flew*.  In  the  promise  to  Abra- 
ham, the  Euphrates  was  fixed  as  the  eastern  boundary  of  his  posteri- 
ty. The  kingdom  of  Solomon  seems  to  have  extended  to  the  de- 
serts on  its  bank-. 


PSALM     LXXXI.  151 

Oh,  on  the  man  of  thy  right  hand.  This  expression  may  denote  the 
nation,  mentioned  either  as  an  individual  with  whom  God  had  enter- 
ed into  covenant  by  giving  the  right  hand  ;  or  as  one  whom,  with 
his  right  hand,  he  had  selected  and  separated.  In  its  highest  sense, 
it  is  descriptive  of  Christ. 


PSALM    LXXXL 


Sing  loud  to  God,  our  Saviour  strong, 

And  shout  to  Jacob's  Kino:: 
Awake  the  timbrel  and  the  song, 

And  strike  the  silv'ry  string. 

With  harp's  and  psaltry's  pleasant  tune, 

With  trumpets  long  and  loud, 
Rejoice  beneath  the  early  moon, 

Amid  the  festal  crowd. 

For  such  the  witness  God  decreed, 

And  such  the  law  he  gave, 
To  Jacob's  sons,  to  Joseph's  seed, 

No  longer  Egypt's  slave  ; 

When,  at  his  captive  people's  groan, 
He  came  with  judgments  dread, 

And  forth,  from  realms  of  speech  unknown, 
Our  rescued  armies  led. 

"  I  from  the  load  thy  shoulder  freed, 

From  servile  clay  thy  hands  ; 
I  heard  thee  in  thine  hour  of  need, 

And  broke  the  tyrant's  bands. 

I  answered  thee  from  clouds  on  high, 
Where  storms  and  thunder  hide  ; 

I  prov'd  thee  where,  mid  deserts  dry, 
The  rock  pour'd  out  its  tide. 

1  Bear  witness,  people  of  my  love  ; 
O  Israel,  give  thine  ear  : 


152  PSALM     LXXXII. 

Seek  thou  no  other  god  above, 
No  stranger's  idol  fear. 

I  am  the  Lord,  thy  God  of  old  ; 

Th'  Egyptian  chains  I  clave  : 
Oh,  wide  thy  thirsty  lips  unfold, 

And  thirst  no  more  shall  crave.' 

My  people  would  not  hear  my  voice  ; 

My  presence  Israel  spurn' d  : 
I  gave  them  to  their  stubborn  choice, 

And  where  they  would  they  turn'd. 

Oh,  had  they  listen'd,  had  they  trod 
Where  God  had  been  their  Guide ! 

Their  foes  had  crouch'd  beneath  my  rod, 
Their  tyrant's  boast  had  died. 

The  Lord's  proud  haters  at  their  feet, 
Their  reign  no  more  had  ceas'd  : 

Their  store  had  been  the  fatt'ning  wheat, 
The  rock,  their  honey'd  feast." 

NOTES. — "For  the  chief  musician  upon  the  harp  of  Gath,  a 
Psalm  of  Asaph."  Townsend  places  it  at  the  period  of  the  dedica- 
tion of  the  second  temple.  Others  suppose  it  to  have  been  prepar- 
ed at  an  earlier  date,  to  be  sung  at  the  season  of  the  passover,  or  at 
the  feast  of  trumpets. 

Tlie  rock j  tlieir  honctfd  feast.  In  Palestine  and  the  neighbouring 
countries,  the  wild  bees  deposit  their  honey  in  the  clefts  of  rocks. 
This  becomes  the  emblem  of  very  great  plenty,  as  if  the  very  stones 
of  the  desert  yielded  delicious  food. 


PSALM   LXXXII. 

God  stands  amidst  the  throng 

Of  men  in  godlike  place  : 
"  How  long  in  judgment  give  ye  wrong, 

And  fear  th'  unrighteous  face  ? 


PSALM     LXXXIII.  163 

Guard  ye  the  orphan's  right ; 

Be  each  the  suff 'rer's  friend  ; 
And  from  th'  oppressor's  iron  might 

The  guiltless  poor  defend." 

They  will  not  know,  nor  hear  ; 

In  darkness  on  they  go ; 
While  earth,  o'erwhelm'd  with  crime  and  fear, 

Heaves  its  deep  base  below. 

I  said,  "  as  gods  ye  reign, 

Children  of  God  most  High  ;" 
But  ye  are  still  a  mortal  train, 

E'en  princes,  doom'd  to  die. 

O  mighty  God,  arise  ; 

O'er  earth  in  judgment  shine  : 
For  all  beneath  the  spreading  skies, 

All  tribes  and  realms,  are  thine. 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  Asaph."  Its  date  and  occasion  can  only 
be  conjectured. 

Of  men  in  godlike  place.  They  are  called,  in  the  original,  gods;  a 
name  sometimes  given  to  kings,  or  even,  as  is  supposed,  to  judges. 
Our  Saviour  expressly  says,  (John  x.  35.)  "he  called  them  gods, 
unto  whom  the  word  of  God  came;"  in  allusion  to  the  fourth  verse 
of  this  Psalm. 

I  said,  "  as  gods  ye  rei^w."  This  is  often  taken  as  the  language  of 
the  Lord,  investing  men  with  kingly  dignity.  I  regard  it  rather  as 
the  words  of  the  Psalmist. 


PSALM   LXXXIII. 

Oh,  keep  not  silence,  God  most  High, 
Nor  give  thine  anger  rest : 

For  lo,  thy  foes  swell  loud  their  cr}T, 
And  rear  their  impious  crest. 

Against  thy  chosen  seed  they  stand, 
And  crafty  counsels  frame ; 


154  PSALM     LXXXIII. 

"Come,  let  us  sweep  from  Israel's  land 
Its  nation  and  its  name." 

Against  thee,  Lord,  their  pow'r  consents, 

Against  thy  holy  place ; 
Ishmael  and  Moab,  Edom's  tents, 

And  Hagar's  desert  race ; 

Gebal  and  Ammon,  Amalek's  hosts, 

And  arm'd  Philistia's  plain : 
And  Assur's  realms,  and  Tyre's  rich  coasts, 

The  sons  of  Lot  sustain. 

O'erthrow  them,  Lord,  as  thou  of  old 
Didst  Midian's  arms  o'erthrow  ; 

As  when  the  tide  of  battle  roll'd 
By  Kishon's  ancient  flow : 

There  Hazor's  flow'r  and  Jabin's  pride 

With  Sisera  fled  away  ; 
Or  lay  in  Endor,  side  by  side, 

As  vile  as  vilest  clay. 

Like  Zeeb  and  Oreb  be  their  lords, 
Who  God's  own  domes  assail : 

Like  Zebah's  and  Zalmunna's  words, 
So  let  their  boastings  fail. 

"Come  up,"  they  cry,  "their  walls  are  ours!" 

But  thou,  my  God,  be  there, 
And  whirl  afar  their  broken  pow'rs, 

Like  chaff  that  loads  the  air. 

As  fires  along  the  woody  steep 

And  o'er  the  forest  blaze, 
So  let  thy  wrathful  tempest  sweep, 

And  scatter  wild  amaze. 

Be  shame  and  fear  ouev'iy  brow, 

Till  they  shall  seek  thy  name, 


PSALM     LXXXIV.  1-5-3 

Or  low  in  endless  trouble  bow, 
And  perish  in  their  shame. 

So  all  shall  own  thy  name  alone, 

Jehovah,  Lord  most  High ; 
And  see  and  praise  thy  holy  throne, 

Supreme  o'er  earth  and  sky. 

NOTES. — "  An  Ode  and  Psalm  of  Asaph."  It  is  commonly  sup- 
posed to  have  been  written  at  some  time  when  Israel  was  threatened 
by  a  numerous  confederacy  of  enemies,  consisting  of  the  nations 
named  in  the  Psalm.  But  the  idea  of  DeWette  seems  worthy  of 
attention:  "what  if  this  whole  enumeration  of  names  were  only  to 
be  taken  poetically,  as  carrying  out  the  thought,  that  all  the  foes  of 
the  nation  were  united  against  it?" 

And  Hagar's  desert  race.  The  Chaldee  Paraphrase  has  "the 
Arabians."  In  the  first  book  of  Chronicles,  (v.  10,  19,  20.)  the 
Hagarites  are  mentioned  as  a  people  dwelling  eastward  from  Gilead, 
who  were  defeated  by  the  tribes  of  Reuben,  Gad  and  Manasseh. 

Gebal  and  Ammon,  Amalek's  Iwsts.  Gebal  was  a  mountainous 
region,  beyond  Jordan. 

And  Assures  realms,  and  Tyre's  rich  coasts.  The  Hebrews  had  no 
mightier  assailant  than  the  sovereigns  of  Assyria. 

Didst  Midiaris  arms  overthrow.  It  is  the  signal  victory  of  Gideon, 
which  is  here  the  subject  of  allusion. 

By  Kishan's  ancient  flow.  "  That  ancient  river,  the  river  Kishon;" 
(Judg.  v.  21.)  ancient,  or  of  old  renown. 

Or  lay  in  Endor,  sule  by  side.  Endor  was  in  the  tribe  of  Manas- 
seh ;  not  far  from  Taanach  and  Megiddo,  the  scene  of  the  defeat  of 
Sisera. 

Like  Zecb  and  Oreb  be  their  lords.  These,  and  Zebah  and  Zal- 
niiuma,  were,  it  will  be  remembered,  the  Midianitish  princes  slain  by 
Gideon. 

And  whirl  afar  their  broken  powers.  They  are  painted  as  rolled 
around  by  a  whirlwind  ;  which  seems  to  be  expressed  by  the  word 
translated  "wheel,"  in  the  common  version. 


PSALM   LXXXIV. 


O  Lord  of  hosts,  how  lovely  shine 
The  dwellings  of  thy  grace  ! 

How  dear  to  me  the  courts  divine 
Of  thy  most  holy  place  ! 


1-5G  PSALM    L XX XIV. 

My  pining  soul  with  longing  faints 

The  Lord's  fair  gates  to  see ; 
My  heart  and  flesh  with  loud  complaints, 

Thou  living  God,  for  thee  ! 

The  sparrow  finds  her  there  a  home  ; 

The  swallow  builds  her  nest : 
Around  thy  altars,  Lord,  they  come, 

And  lay  their  young  to  rest. 

O  Lord  of  hosts,  my  King  and  God, 
How  bless'd  are  they  who  dwell 

Within  the  courts  thy  saints  have  trod, 
And  all  thy  glory  tell ! 

How  bless'd  are  they,  whose  strength  thou  art ; 

Whose  lips  but  sing  thy  praise ; 
Who  bear,  within  their  inmost  heart, 

The  mem'ry  of  thy  ways  ! 

Along  the  thirsty  vale  of  tears, 

With  vig'rous  step  they  go  : 
The  early  rain  their  journey  cheers, 

The  sparkling  fountains  flow. 

From  strength  to  strength  ascend  their  feet, 

And  brighter  joys  are  near  ; 
Till  all,  in  Sion's  holy  seat, 

Before  our  God  appear. 

Lord  God  of  hosts,  oh,  hear  my  cry, 

Thou  God  of  Jacob's  line  ; 
O  God  our  Shield,  with  fav'ring  eye 

On  thine  anointed  shine. 

For  in  thy  courts  one  single  day 

With  richer  bliss  shall  glide, 
Than  thousands  give  or  waft  away 

In  all  the  world  bcsidr. 


PSALM     LXXXIV.  157 

I  love  the  threshold  at  the  gate 

Where  dwells  my  God  within  : 
More  dear  to  me,  e'en  there  to  wait, 

Than  rule  the  tents  of  sin. 

For  God  the  Lord,  our  Sun  and  Shield, 

Shall  grace  and  glory  shed, 
Nor  one  kind  gift  disdain  to  yield, 

Where  upright  spirits  tread. 

O  God  of  hosts,  the  mighty  Lord, 

How  richly  bless'd  is  he, 
Whose  hope  shall  bring  its  sure  reward, 

Forever  fix'd  on  thee  ! 


NOTES. — "For  the  chief  musician  upon  the  harp  of  Gath,  a 
Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah."  It  somewhat  resembles  the  forty- 
second,  though  its  tone  is  less  mournful.  A  devout  soul  celebrates 
the  temple,  and  the  joy  of  those  who  go  up  thither  to  worship,  or 
there  spend  their  days;  but  still  higher  things  are  to  be  seen  through 
the  veil  of  this  imagery. 

The  sparroic  finds  her  there  a  home.  The  Psalmist  contrasts  his  own 
separation  from  the  house  of  God  with  the  privilege  of  the  very 
birds,  who  might  make  their  nests  around  the  walls  of  the  sanctuary. 
It  is  not  to  be  imagined  that  they  came  literally  to  the  altar.  In  the 
second  temple  any  lodgment  of  birds  seems  to  have  been  prevented. 

Along  the  thirsty  vale  of  tears.  There  seems  no  need  to  suppose 
any  one  place,  whether  named  Baca,  or  otherwise.  "The  valley  of 
weeping'' is  any  barren  and  rough  vale;  with  which  human  life, 
viewed  from  its  sorrowful  side,  may  be  compared.  There  is  here, 
however,  an  evident  allusion  to  the  journeys  of  the  Israelites,  when, 
at  the  three  great  festivals,  they  came  in  companies  to  Jerusalem, 
from  every  quarter  of  the  land. 

From  strength  to  strength  ascend  tJieirfeet.  "  I  think  with  Geierus," 
says  Mr.  Merrick,  "that  the  Hebrew  may  be  translated  from  strength, 
to  strength,  (answrerably  to  the  words  from  faith  to  faith,  Rom.  i.  17. 
and  from  glory  to  glory,  2  Cor.  iii.  18.)  and  signify  that,  whereas 
other  travellers  grow  more  and  more  weary  as  they  travel,  each  of 
the  pious  persons  here  described  shall,  by  the  refreshments  admin- 
istered to  them,  proceed  from  one  degree  of  strength  to  another, 
ziresque  acquirit  cundo." 

On  thine  anointed  shine.  This  expression  may  seem  to  fix  the 
authorship  of  this  Psalm,  as  to  be  ascribed  to  David  or  some  other 
monarch.  The  king,  however,  is  regarded  as  the  representative  of 
his  nation;  and,  in  praying  for  him,  they  pray  for  all.  So  the 
anointed  Saviour  stands  in  the  stead  of  his  church. 

14 


158  PSALM     LXXXV. 

For  in  thy  courts  one  single  day.  Dr.  Durell  quotes  Cicero  ;  Tasc. 
v.  "  O  vita  Philosophic  dux !  uuus  dies  bene  et  ex  prapceptis  tuis  actus 
peccanti  immortalitati  est  anteponendus."  O  Philosophy,  thou  guide 
of  life  !  one  day  spent  well  and  after  thy  precepts  is  better  than  an 
immortality  of  sin. 


PSALM   LXXXV. 

Lord,  thou  hast  bless'd  our  wasted  land  ; 

Thy  terrors  cease  to  burn  ; 
And,  led  by  thy  deliv'ring  hand, 

Our  captive  tribes  return. 

Thy  people's  guilt  is  all  forgiv'n, 

Their  sins  are  cover'd  o'er ; 
Thy  wrath's  fierce  storm  has  onward  driv'n, 

Thy  smile  has  dawn'd  once  more. 

0  God  our  Saviour,  turn  us  still, 
And  let  thine  anger  end  : 

Or,  shall  its  clouds  of  vengeful  ill 
From  age  to  age  descend  ? 

Wilt  thou  not  turn,  that,  glad  in  thee, 

Thy  people's  heart  may  live  ? 
Oh,  give  us,  Lord,  thy  grace  to  see, 

Thy  full  salvation  give. 

1  hearken  for  the  Lord's  dear  voice, 

And  hear  him  gently  say 
Peace  to  the  people  of  his  choice, 
Who  turn  no  more  astray. 

Oh,  o'er  the  hearts  that  fear  his  name 

His  bright  salvation  glows  : 
So  guards  the  Lord,  in  peaceful  fame, 

Our  smiling  land's  repose. 


PSALM     LXXXVI.  1-59 

And  truth  and  mercy  joy  to  meet, 

And  justice  clings  to  love  : 
They  bloom  like  flow'rs  beneath  our  feet, 

They  shine,  like  stars,  above. 

God  gives  his  grace,  and  o'er  the  land 

The  waving  harvests  spread  : 
Beneath  his  smile  the  righteous  stand, 

And  he  shall  guide  their  tread. 

NOTES. — "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Ko- 
rah."  It  was  evidently  written  soon  after  the  return  from  the  cap- 
tivity. 

And  truth  and  mercy  joy  to  meet.  The  bold  figures  of  this-  verse 
resemble  those  of  Isaiah,  (xlv.  8.) 

"  Drop  down,  ye  heavens,  from  above, 

And  let  the  skies  pour  down  righteousness: 

Let  the  earth  open,  and  let  them  bring  forth  salvation, 

And  let  righteousness  spring  up  together." 


PSALM    LXXXVI. 

Thy  gracious  ear  incline, 

And  hear  me,  Lord,  on  high : 

Preserve  my  soul,  for  I  am  thine, 
And  poor  and  lone  I  lie. 

My  God,  thy  servant  save, 

Whose  hope  on  thee  shall  rest : 

Each  morn  thy  dawning  aid  I  crave, 
To  light  my  fainting  breast. 

To  thee  my  soul  shall  rise, 
To  God,  whose  grace  forgives ; 

Whoe'er  to  thee  for  mercy  cries, 
In  plenteous  mercy  lives. 

Oh,  hear  my  mournful  prayer, 
My  suppliant  groanings  hear  : 

I  call  on  thee  in  hours  of  care, 
And  know  thine  answer  near. 


160  PSALM     LXXXVI. 

Among  the  gods  ador'd 

The  only  God  art  thou ; 
There  are  no  works  like  thine,  O  Lord  ; 

All  realms  to  thee  shall  bow. 

Thou  mad'st  them,  and  their  praise 

Shall  echo  to  thy  throne  ; 
For  thou  art  great,  and  great  thy  ways  ; 

The  Lord  is  God  alone. 

Teach  me  the  path  of  light, 

That  truth  my  steps  may  frame  : 

My  spirit's  wand'ring  pow'rs  unite, 
To  fear  thy  sov'reign  name. 

Thy  praises,  Lord  my  King, 

My  lips  shall  ceaseless  tell, 
And  thy  redeeming  mercy  sing, 

That  rais'd  my  soul  from  hell. 

O  God,  the  proud  arise, 

The  murd'rers'  dreadful  band ; 

Against  thy  fear  they  close  their  eyes, 
And  leagu'd  to  slay  me  stand. 

But  thou,  my  Lord,  art  love, 

A  God  with  mercy  crown' d  ; 
High  mount  our  sins,  but  high  above, 

Thy  truth  and  grace  abound. 

Oh,  turn  in  mercy  mild, 

And  nerve  thy  servant's  arm, 
And  save  thine  humble  handmaid's  child 

From  hosts  that  seek  his  harm. 

Some  happy  sign  bestow, 

Before  my  haters'  sight ; 
Till,  in  my  strength  asham'd  they  know 

Thy  comfort  and  thy  might. 

NOTES. — "A   Prayer  of  David."       Nothing  is  known   of  the 
origin  of  this  Psalm  ;  but  it  is  probably  ascribed  to  its  true  author. 


PSALM    LXXXVII.  1G1 

My  spirit's  icancVring  poic'rs  unite.  The  words  seem  to  express 
the  act  of  collecting  the  scattered  and  confused  thoughts,  to  fix  them 
upon  God. 


PSALM   LXXXVII. 

On  the  sacred  mountains'  steep, 
Rest  her  old  foundations  deep  : 
None  of  Jacob's  tented  pow'rs, 
Loves  the  Lord  like  Sion's  tow'rs  : 
Glorious  things  of  thee  they  tell, 
City  where  our  God  shall  dwell ! 

"  I  will  name  Philistia's  line, 
Rahab,  Tyre  and  Babel  mine ; 
And  the  Ethiop's  sons  shall  meet, 
Brethren  all  in  Sion's  seat ; 
All  shall  Sion's  lineage  claim, 
All  shall  swell  her  spotless  fame." 

Her  the  Lord  most  High  shall  build, 
Till  her  records  bright  be  fill'd, 
When  at  last  he  reads  them  o'er, 
From  the  tribes  of  ev'ry  shore : 
There  shall  sound  the  harp  and  voice  ; 
There,  in  thee,  will  I  rejoice  ! 

NOTES.— "  A  Psalm  and  Ode  of  the  sons  of  Korah."  It  is  a  de- 
lightful prophecy  of  the  glory  of  the  church  in  the  accession  of  the 
Gentiles."  Bishop  Horsley  entitles  it,  " salvation  is  of  the  Jews." 
Bishop  Hare,  from  its  abrupt  beginning,  imagined  it  to  be  only  the 
fragment  of  a  Psalm.  "But  perhaps,"  says  Mr.  Edwards,  "were 
the  occasion  of  the  author's  writing  it  known,  this  abruptness  would 
appear  to  be  a  beauty."  We  may  add  that,  whatever  may  have  been 
the  occasion,  it  is  certainly  no  poetical  fault. 

/  icill  name  Philistia's  line.  Tliis  verse  is  taken  as  the  words  of  die 
Lord. 

Rahab,  Tyre  and  Babel  mine.  Rahab  is  a  name  of  Egypt,  but  its 
origin  and  reason  are  unknown. 

14* 


162  PSALM     LXXXVIII. 


PSALM   LXXXVIII. 

Lord  God  my  Saviour,  day  and  night 
I  pray  beneath  thy  searching  sight : 
Oh,  bring  my  pray'r  in  mercy  near, 
And  bend  from  heav'n  thy  list'ning  ear. 

My  soul  is  filPd  with  weary  woes  ; 
Around  my  life  the  shadows  close  : 
A  man,  whose  manly  pow'rs  are  fled, 
E'en  now  they  count  me  with  the  dead  ; 

With  them  who  sink  to  earth's  cold  caves, 
The  prostrate,  couch'd  in  bloody  graves, 
From  thy  forbearing  mercy  pass'd, 
From  thy  strong  hand  to  ruin  cast. 

There  thou  hastfix'dmy  cheerless  doom, 
Low  in  the  depth's  unfathom'd  gloom  : 
Thy  hand  is  heavy  on  my  soul, 
And  all  thy  billows  o'er  me  roll. 

Thou  turn' st  aside  my  neighbour's  face  ; 
Afar  he  shuns  my  loath'd  embrace  : 
And,  prison'd  where  I  cannot  fly, 
I  close  my  dim,  decaying  eye. 

To  thee,  each  day,  my  pray'r  is  made, 
To  thee  my  hands  are  stretch'dfor  aid  : 
Oh,  shall  the  dead  thy  wonders  learn, 
The  dead  to  speak  thy  praise  return  f 

Shall  love  be  whisper'd  in  the  grave, 
Destruction  tell  thy  truth  to  save  ? 
In  darkness  shall  thy  wonders  blaze, 
Oblivion's  land  thy  justice  praise  ? 

To  thee,  O  Lord,  to  ihee  I  cry  ; 

My  pray'r  ascends  the  dawning  sky  : 


PSALM     LXXXIX.  163 

Why  leav'st  thou  me  alone  to  stray, 
And  turn'st  thy  glorious  face  away  ? 

E'en  from  my  youth,  with  anguish  torn, 
Thy  chast'ning  stroke  my  soul  hath  borne  : 
Thy  wrathful  storm  my  path  o'erflows  ; 
Till  day  amidst  thy  terrors  close. 

With  ceaseless  swell  around  they  roar, 
A  circling  sea  without  a  shore  ; 
No  form  of  friend  or  brother  nigh, 
No  sight  of  love  to  light  mine  eye  ! 

NOTES.—"  An  Ode  and  Psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah,  for  the  chief 
musician,  to  be  sung  to  the  flutes;  a  Poem  of  Heman  the  Ezrahite." 
Heman  was  a  sage  and  musician  of  the  time  of  Solomon,  and  a  de- 
scendant of  Korah. 

A  man,  whose  manly  powWs  arc  fled.  The  whole  description  is  ob- 
viously, throughout  the  Psalm,  that  of  a  person  groaning  under 
some  loathsome  and  intolerable  disease.  A  spiritual  interpretation 
of  the  whole  is  neither  contrary  to  the  genius  of  biblical  poetry,  nor 
otherwise  in  the  least  degree  improbable. 


PSALM   LXXXIX. 

Thy  mercies,  Lord,  shall  fill  my  song  ; 

It  tells  thy  truth  while  ages  fly  : 
I  know  thy  mercies'  endless  throng, 

Thy  truth,  as  firm  as  heav'n  on  high. 

For  thou  hast  said,  "  mine  oath  is  pass'd, 
To  David,  to  my  chosen  friend  ; 

Thy  throne  shall  stand,  forever  fast, 
Thy  kingly  seed  shall  never  end." 

O  Lord,  the  heav'ns  thy  might  record  ; 

Their  holy  hosts  thy  praises  sing : 
For  who  in  heav'n  is  like  the  Lord, 

Who,  mid  the  gods,  like  God  our  King  ? 


1G4  PSALM     LXXXIX. 

Thou  God,  before  whose  heav'nly  state 
Thy  saints  in  sacred  rev'rence  bow, 

Lord  God  of  Hosts,  oh,  who  is  great, 
Or  who  enrob'd  with  truth,  as  thou  ? 

Thou  rul'st  the  angry  ocean's  tide, 

Andbidd'st  its  swelling  waves  repose  : 

Thou  tramplest  down  the  hosts  of  pride, 
And  strew' st  afar  thy  broken  foes. 

The  heav'ns  are  thine,  and  thine  the  earth ; 

Thou  fram'd'st  the  land,  and  thou  the  sea  : 
Thou  gav'st  the  North  and  South  their  birth, 

Tabor  and  Hermon  shout  to  thee. 

Thine  arm  has  empire  all  its  own  ; 

High  holds  thy  strong  right  hand  its  sway  : 
Justice  and  judgment  rear  thy  throne, 

And  truth  and  grace  prepare  thy  wa}r. 

How  bless'd  to  know  thy  trumpet's  voice, 
And  walk  beneath  thy  guiding  eye  ! 

Each  day  in  thee  shall  such  rejoice, 
And  thy  just  pow'r  shall  lift  them  high. 

For  thou  our  beauteous  strength  shalt  yield, 
Thy  love  our  lofty  horn  maintains  : 

The  Lord  is  still  our  saving  Shield  ; 
The  holy  King  in  Israel  reigns. 

In  visions,  to  thy  sainted  seer, 

Thou  spak'st  of  old,  "  with  succour  crown'd, 
A  Hero  and  a  Head  I  rear, 

Amidst  my  lowly  people  found. 

On  David's,  on  my  servant's  brow, 
By  me  the  kingly  oil  is  pour'd  ; 

My  hand  Shall  ne'er  bis  sceptre  bow, 

My  arm  shall  urge  his  conqu'ring  sword. 


PSALM     LXXXIX.  165 

No  foe  shall  hurl  him  from  his  seat, 

No  tyrant  mock  his  fallen  state  ; 
His  foes  shall  crouch  beneath  his  feet, 

And  I  will  waste  the  bands  of  hate. 

My  truth  and  love  shall  guard  his  reign  ; 

In  my  strong  name  his  horn  shall  soar  : 
His  hand  shall  reach  the  Western  main, 

His  right  the  Eastern  torrent's  shore. 

4  Father  and  Saviour,'  he  shall  cry, 
1  To  thee,  my  Rock,  in  hope  I  cling ;' 

And  I  will  give  his  birthright  high, 
My  firstborn's  place,  o'er  ev'ry  king. 

For  him  my  mercy  shall  endure, 

My  cov'nant  stand,  and  ne'er  be  vain  ; 

His  seed  shall  rise  in  glory  sure, 

His  throne  as  heav'n's  own  days  remain. 

If  yet  his  children's  wand'ring  heart 
My  just  commandments  e'er  forsake, 

From  my  unchanging  paths  depart, 
And  o'er  my  gracious  cov'nant  break  ; 

Then,  on  their  sins  the  rod  shall  fall, 

And  chast'ning  stripes  their  soul  shall  grieve ; 

But  I  will  ne'er  my  truth  recall, 
Nor  all  my  ancient  favour  leave. 

I  will  not  break  my  cov'nant  fast, 

Nor  change  what  once  my  lips  have  seal'd  : 
My  oath  was  once  to  David  pass'd, 

And  falsehood  ne'er  that  oath  shall  yield ; 

His  seed  shall  rise,  forever  sure  ; 

His  throne  shall  stand,  while  yet  on  high 
The  sun  or  moon  rolls  on  secure, 

With  each  true  witness  of  the  sky." 


106  PSALM    L  XX  XIX. 

But  thine  anointed  leav'st  thou  now, 
And  look'stin  stern  abhorrence  down  : 

Thou  scorn' st  his  cov'nant  and  his  vow, 
And  fling' st  to  earth  his  kingly  crown. 

And  thou  hast  broke  his  stately  wall, 
And  cast  his  rampart  to  the  ground  ; 

The  passing  step  insults  its  fall, 

And  scorn  and  hatred  shout  around. 

Thou  giv'st  his  foes  the  conqu'ror's  pride, 
Thou  lift'ston  high  his  tyrants'  hand  ; 

Thou  turn' st  his  sword's  keen  edge  aside, 
Nor  yield'st  his  armies  strength  to  stand. 

Thou  sweep'st  his  glory  to  decay, 

And  heap'st  his  prostrate  throne  with  dust : 

Thou  end'st  in  clouds  his  youthful  day, 
And  shame  envelops  all  his  trust. 

How  long,  O  Lord,  withdraws  thy  face  ? 

Shall  vengeance  blaze,  and  never  wane  ? 
Oh,  think  how  short  my  weary  race  : 

Oh,  wherefore  mad'st  thou  all  in  vain  ? 

Where  lives  the  man  who  shall  not  see 
The  last  dim  hour,  the  closing  breath  ? 

Oh,  who  can  hold  his  spirit  free 

From  bondage  in  the  realms  of  death  ? 

Where  lies  thy  mighty  love  at  rest, 
Thy  love,  of  old  to  David  sworn  ? 

Oh,  think  how  long  thy  servant's  breast 
His  load  of  false  reproach  has  borne  ; 

Reproach  from  nations'  impious  wrath, 
From  hosts  that  me  and  thee  abhorr'd, 

And  curs'd  thine  own  anointed's  path  ! 
Yet,  blcss'd  forever  be  the  Lord  ! 

Amen.    Amen. 


PSALxM     XC.  167 

NOTES. — A  Poem  of  Ethan  the  Ezrahite."  Ethan  is  associated 
with  Heman,  both  in  the  mention  of  his  wisdom  (1  Kings  iv.  31.)  and 
of  his  station  as  a  leader  of  the  music,  (1  Chron.  xv.  19.)  This 
Psalm,  however,  must  have  been  written  at  a  later  and  less  flourish- 
ing period  of  the  Jewish  monarchy. 

To  David,  to  my  chosen  friend.  The  promise  was  that  which  was 
especially  given  through  Nathan  the  prophet.    (2  Sam.  vii.) 

Tabor  and  Hermon  shout  to  thee.  Mount  Tabor  being  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  Galilee,  and  the  ridge  of  Hermon  or  Anti-Libanus  stretch- 
ing to  the  north-east  towards  Damascus,  they  might  be  regarded  as 
representing  the  West  and  East. 

How  blessed  to  knoic  thy  trumpet' s  voice.  The  people  were  called 
to  their  holy  assemblies  by  the  sound  of  the  trumpet. 

For  thou  our  beauteous  strength  shalt  yield.  "  The  glory  of  their 
strength"  expresses  all  in  which  they  might  exult,  or  which  could 
adoni  them. 

In  visions,  to  thy  sainted  seer.  Nathan  is  probably  meant ;  possibly 
David  himself. 

His  right  the  Eastern  torrent's  shore.     This,  again,  is  the  Euphrates. 

His  throne  shall  stand,  while  yet  on  high.  It  is  hardly  possible  not 
to  discern  in  these  magnificent  promises  the  eternal  glory  of  Christ, 
the  son  of  David. 

With  each  true  witness  of  the  shy.  Sun,  moon  and  stars  are  made 
the  witnesses  of  the  covenant;  and  we  may  include,  too,  angels  and 
archangels. 

But  thine  anointed  leav'st  thou  now.  How  impressive  is  the  transi- 
tion, at  the  moment  wrhen  the  prophecy  had  reached  its  loftiest  strain ! 

Thou  end' st  in  clou/Is  his  youthful  day.  Jehoiachin,  to  whom  this 
allusion  may  possibly  be  referred,  ascended  the  throne  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  years,  and  reigned  but  three  months. 

Amen.  Amen.  This  is  the  end  of  the  third  Book  of  the  Psalms; 
and  perhaps  the  ascription  of  praise  at  the  close  belongs  not  to  the 
Psalm  itself,  here,  or  m  the  other  instances  of  a  similar  nature. 


PSALM   XC. 


O  Lord,  through  rolling  ages  past 

Our  fathers'  shelt' ring  home, 
And  still  our  children's  refuge  fast 

Through  rolling  years  to  come  ; 

Ere  thou  hadst  rear'd  the  mountain's  brow, 
Or  made  this  vale  of  tears, 


16S  PSALM     XC. 

From  years  eternal,  God  art  thou, 
To  still  eternal  years. 

But  man  his  last,  forgotten  way, 

At  thy  commandment  goes  : 
Thou  speak'st,  "  return,  ye  sons  of  clay," 

And  all  their  journeyings  close. 

A  thousand  years  beneath  thy  sight 

Like  yester  evening  seem, 
Like  one  short  watch  of  silent  night, 

A  slumb'rer's  fleeting  dream. 

Thy  floods  sweep  o'er  us,  and  we  pass, 

As  meadow  flow'rets  fade  ; 
Fair  blooms  at  morn  the  waving  grass, 

And  falls  ere  evening's  shade. 

For  in  thy  wrath's  consuming  might 

Our  spirits  droop  and  die  : 
Our  secret  sins  are  spread  in  light 

Beneath  thy  piercing  eye. 

Swift,  like  a  tale,  is  gone  the  space 

Assign'd  to  mortal  men  ; 
And  scarce  thy  wrath  allows  the  race 

To  threescore  years  and  ten  : 

Or  if,  by  strength,  some  hoary  head 

Its  fourscore  winters  bear, 
Yet  weak  the  strength,  and  sad  the  tread 

That  bows  with  weary  care. 

So  soon  must  life  on  pinions  flee, 

So  swift  our  joys  depart : 
Yet,  who  will  all  thy  terrors  see, 

And  fear  thee  as  thou  art  ? 

Oh,  teach  us,  teach  us,  Lord,  to  learn 
The  measure  of  our  days  ; 


PSALM     XCI.  1G9 

That  so  our  wand'ring  steps  may  turn 
To  thy  true  wisdom's  ways. 

Return,  O  Lord  !  how  long  ?  how  long  ? 

Oh,  yield  thy  servants  peace  ; 
And  early  wake  our  grateful  song 

To  joy  that  shall  not  cease. 

As  thou  hast  giv'n  us  weary  days, 

And  showrn  us  years  of  woe, 
So  give  us  on  thy  light  to  gaze, 

So  yet  thy  glory  show. 

And  on  us,  Lord,  and  on  our  seed, 

Let  thy  fair  favour  shine  : 
And  build  the  work  our  hands  would  speed, 

Oh,  build  it  firm  for  thine. 

NOTES.—"  A  Prayer  of  Moses  the  man  of  God."  If  this  super- 
scription declare  the  real  origin  of  the  Psalm,  it  was  doubtless  written 
while  the  generation  that  came  out  of  Egypt  were  dying  in  the  wilder- 
ness. It  seems  so  improbable  that  a  single  Psalm  should  be  chosen 
from  the  whole  collection,  and  marked  with  a  date  of  such  great  anti- 
quity, in  the  mere  caprice  of  conjecture,  that  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
it  indeed  the  work  of  Moses. 

Like  one  short  icatch  of  silent  night.  The  night,  among  the  ancient 
Hebrews,  was  divided  into  three  watches.  In  the  time  of  our  Sa- 
viour, there  were  four,  after  the  custom  of  the  Romans. 

Swift,  like  a  tale,  is  gone  the  space.  An  eloquent  writer  illustrates 
tins  allusion  by  the  love  of  the  Orientals  for  stories  of  every  kind,  to 
which  they  will  listen,  gathered  around  their  fires  in  the  desert  by 
night,  with  breathless  attention ;  till  the  tale  is  ended,  and  seems  to 
have  occupied  but  a  moment. 


PSALM  XCI. 


Whoe'er  in  God's  pavilion  deep 
His  peaceful  home  has  made, 
Shall  still  his  soul  in  safety  keep 
Beneath  th'  Almighty's  shade. 


15 


170  PSALM     XCI. 

O  Lord  most  High,  I  cry  to  thee, 
1  Thou  art  my  hope  and  tow'r; 

To  thee  my  trusting  heart  shall  flee 
In  danger's  stormy  hour.' 

The  Lord  shall  hear  his  servant's  pray'r, 

And  guide  the  faithful  feet, 
To  shun  the  secret  fowler's  snare, 

The  plague's  devouring  heat. 

Beneath  his  mercy's  downy  wing 

Thy  faith  shall  find  its  rest : 
His  truth  shall  shield  and  buckler  fling 

Around  thy  cheerful  breast. 

Thou  shalt  not  fear  the  evening  blight, 

The  daily  shaft  nor  bow ; 
The  pest  that  walks  at  dead  of  night, 

The  noonday  slaughter's  blow. 

A  thousand  on  thy  right  shall  lie, 

Ten  thousand  at  thy  side  ; 
But  thou  shalt  see  th'  ungodly  die, 

And  thou  nnha.rm'd  abide. 

Because  thou  mad'st  the  Lord  thy  dread, 
Thy  hope  and  shelt'ring  dome, 

No  ill  shall  strike  thy  guarded  head, 
No  plague  approach  thy  home. 

For  he  shall  charge  his  angel  bands 

To  keep  thy  pathway  lone  ; 
And,  lifted  on  their  gentle  hands, 

Thou  shalt  not  touch  a  stone. 

The  lion's  lair,  the  adder's  brake, 
Thy  fearless  heel  shall  tread, 

And  trample  down  the  coiling  snake, 
And  spurn  the  monster's  bed. 


PSALM    XCI.  171 

11  Because  to  mine  own  name  he  gave 

His  stedfast  fear  and  love, 
I,  in  his  need,  will  speed  to  save, 

And  plant  his  feet  above. 

My  ear  shall  hear  his  suppliant  voice, 

My  lips  his  praise  decree  : 
In  length  of  days  shall  such  rejoice, 

And  my  salvation  see." 

NOTES. — This  Psalm  has  no  superscription.  The  Jews  imagine 
that,  in  all  such  instances,  the  superscription  of  the  preceding  Psalm 
embraces  those  that  follow  without  title  ;  and  they  would  therefore 
ascribe  this  to  Moses.  There  is  no  reason,  however,  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  any  such  rule.  Michaelis  supposes  that,  in  tins  noble 
ode,  two  choirs  respond  to  one  another. 

Whoe'er  in  Go(T s  pavilion  deep .  Bishop  Lowth,  in  his  Lectures, 
has  given  a  Latin  version  of  this  Psalm,  the  beginning  of  which, 
although  not  a  literal  translation  in  its  form,  is  exceedingly  beautiful. 

u  Qui  habitat  in  secretis  Altissimi, 

Qui  in  umbram  Omnipotentis  sese  receptat; 

Qui  dicit  Jehovsg,  Spes  mea  et  propugnaculum  meum  ! 

Deus  meus,  in  quo  confidam" — 

then,  apostrophizing  the  saint  who  has  thus  been  described  ; 

"  Ille  profecto  te  eripiet, 

E  laqueo  venatoris,  e  peste  exitiali." 

There  may  be  an  allusion,  in  this  first  verse,  to  the  sacred  laws  of 
hospitality. 

To  shun  the  secret  fowler's  snare.  Any  enemy  may  be  meant ;  but 
Bishop  Heber  has  forcibly  applied  the  image  to  the  temptations  of 
our  greatest  enemy : 

"When the  soul  struggles  in  the  Fowler's  snare, 
Help,  Saviour,  by  thy  cross  and  crimson  stain, 
Nor  let  thy  glorious  blood  be  spill'd  in  vain  !" 

For  he  shall  charge  his  angel  hands,  This  is  the  passage  cited  by 
the  Tempter,  when  he  would  have  persuaded  Jesus  to  cast  himself 
from  the  pinnacle  of  the  temple. 

And  spurn  the  monster's  bed.  The  original  names  the  young  lion 
and  the  dragon  ;  but  the  fonner  could  not  be  mentioned  in  the  trans- 
lation without  an  unpleasant  repetition. 

Because  to  mine  oicn  name  he  gave.  Without  any  form  of  introduc- 
tion, God  is  evidently  here  represented  as  speaking,  and  sealing  all 
which  had  gone  before  by  his  express  promise. 


172  PSALM     XCII. 


PSALM   XCII. 

Good  is  the  work,  with  songs  to  raise, 
O  Lord  most  High,  thy  grateful  praise  ; 
To  shew  thy  love  at  morning  light, 
And  tell  thy  truth  each  peaceful  night ; 

With  harp  and  lute  thy  name  to  sing, 
With  harp  and  lyre  of  tenfold  string ; 
To  wake  the  psalt'ry's  solemn  sound, 
And  pour  rejoicing  music  round. 

Thy  works,  O  Lord,  are  all  my  joy ; 
Thy  works  shall  all  my  praise  employ  : 
How  high  thy  glorious  wonders  rise  ! 
How  deep  thy  mighty  counsel  lies  ! 

So  sees  not,  Lord,  the  godless  heart, 
Nor  knows  how  soon  its  joys  depart : 
When  all  the  proud  like  grass  are  green, 
Then  swift  destruction  glides  unseen. 

For  thou,  O  Lord,  artthron'd  on  high, 
And  at  thy  word  the  guilty  die  : 
For  lo,  the  foes  that  scorn'd  at  thee, 
For  lo,  thy  foes  in  ruin  flee. 

But  strength  above  the  wild-deer's  horn 
Shall  mine  anointed  head  adorn ; 
Mine  eye  shall  see  my  prostrate  foes, 
Mine  ear  shall  hear  their  fearful  close. 

Like  lofty  palms  the  just  abide, 

Like  cedars  on  Libanus'  side  ; 

In  God's  own  courts  are  planted  fair, 

And  rise,  and  bloom,  and  flourish  there. 

Higli  spread  their  boughs,  and  deep  their  root, 
And,  green  in  ago,  they  bend  with  fruit: 


PSALM     XCIII.  173 

Thus  shines  the  Lord  our  strength  to  view, 
And  thus  his  promise  still  is  true. 

NOTES.—"  A  Psalm  and  Song  for  the  Sabbath-day."  According 
to  the  Talmud,  there  were  Psalms  appointed  for  each  day  of  the 
week;  but  this  title  probably  expresses  the  original  occasion  on 
which  the  present  Psalm  was  composed,  or  for  which  it  was  prepar- 
ed. The  Rabbins  say  that  it  was  sung  by  Adam,  on  the  day  after  his 
creation. 

But  strength  above  the  icild-dccr 's  /torn.  This  word,  as  has  been  be- 
fore remarked,  seems  very  probably  to  mean  the  bison  or  buffalo. 
But  I  have  chosen  rather  to  follow  here  the  opinion  of  those  who 
believe  it  to  have  been  the  oryx,  or  antelope,  than  to  introduce  a 
name  less  familiar  in  our  poetical  language. 

Like  lofty  palms  the  just  abide.  The  stateliness  and  beauty  of  this 
tree  are  well  known ;  its  longevity  perhaps  not  so  well.  It  was  an 
opinion  of  the  ancients,  that  the  palm  was  immortal;  at  least,  that  if 
it  died,  it  recovered,  and  obtained  a  second  life  by  renewal.  Hence 
it  was  the  emblem  of  immortality.  It  was  also  supposed  to  rise 
under  a  weight,  and  to  thrive  in  proportion  as  it  was  depressed. 

In  God's  oicn  courts  are  planted  fair.  In  the  East,  trees  are  often 
planted  in  the  court-yard  of  a  house. 


PSALM   XCIIL 


The  Lord  is  King  in  realms  of  light ; 

With  glory  rob'd,  on  high  he  reigns  : 
The  Lord  is  rob'd  with  sov'reign  might, 

And  earth's  foundations  strong  sustains. 

He  fix'd  the  skies,  the  seas,  the  lands, 

And  naught  can  change  their  place  or  \vay 

Thy  throne,  O  Lord,  eternal  stands, 
Thy  years  are  one  unfading  day. 

The  floods,  O  Lord,  lift  up  their  voice, 
The  mighty  floods  lift  up  their  roar  ; 

The  floods  in  tumult  loud  rejoice, 

And  climb  in  foam  the  sounding  shore. 

But,  mightier  than  the  mighty  sea, 
The  Lord  of  glory  reigns  on  high  : 
15* 


174  PSALM     XCIV. 

Far  o'er  its  waves  we  look  to  thee, 
And  see  their  fury  break  and  die. 

Thy  word  is  true,  thy  promise  sure, 
That  ancient  promise,  seal'd  in  love  . 

Oh,  be  e'en  here  thy  temple  pure, 
As  thy  pure  mansions  shine  above. 

NOTES. —  The  Lord  is  rob'd  with  sovWcian  might.  The  repetition, 
in  the  first,  third,  and  fourth  verses,  is  a  characteristic  feature  of  this 
Psalm,  and  contributes  to  its  majesty.  This  becomes  more  evident 
in  a  literal  translation. 

The  floods,  0  Lord,  lift  up  their  voice.  The  tumultuous  roar  of  the 
waves  may  represent  the  clamour  of  a  host  of  enemies.  All  men  and 
all  nations  who  oppose  the  word  and  cause  of  God  are  thus,  perhaps, 
compared  with  the  billows  which  cannot  go  beyond  their  bound. 


PSALM   XCIV. 

Lord  God  of  vengeance,  light  the  skies 

With  judgment's  fiery  cloud  : 
O  God  of  vengeance  just,  arise, 

And  recompense  the  proud. 

How  long  shall  guilt,  O  Lord  of  hosts, 

How  long  shall  guilt  rejoice  ? 
How  long  the  wTicked  make  their  boasts, 

And  lift  their  scornful  voice  ? 

They  trample  down  the  humble  race, 

And  slay  the  seed  oppress'd, 
The  widow  in  her  child's  embrace, 

The  orphan,  and  the  guest. 

They  mock  their  victims,  as  they  bleed  ; 
They  mock  their  parting  groans ; 

11  The  Lord,"  they  cry,  "  shall  never  heed, 
The  Lord,  whom  Jacob  owns." 


PSALM     XCIV.  175 

O  souls  most  dark  !  behold  and  fear  : 

How  long  refuse  ye  light  ? 
Shall  he  not  hear,  who  fram'd  the  ear, 

Nor  see,  who  gave  us  sight  ? 

Shall  not  the  world's  high  Judge  chastise, 
The  Source  of  knowledge,  know  ? 

He  knows  the  thoughts  that  men  devise, 
A  vain  and  fleeting  show. 

Howbless'd  the  man,  in  chast'nings  bless'd, 
Whom  thou  hast  taught  and  tried  ! 

In  evil  days,  thou  giv'st  him  rest, 
Till  guilt  the  grave  shall  hide. 

For  God  will  ne'er  forsake  his  own, 

Nor  cast  his  saints  away ; 
Till  justice  sit  on  judgment's  throne, 

While  all  the  pure  obey. 

But  when  I  cried,  "  my  footsteps  fail," 

Thy  mercy  made  me  strong ; 
And  though  a  thousand  griefs  assail, 

Thy  comforts  cheer  my  song. 

Wilt  thou  th'  unrighteous  throne  maintain, 

That  bids  the  lawless  deed, 
Against  the  good  arrays  its  train, 

And  dooms  the  just  to  bleed  ? 

The  Lord  our  God,  our  Rock  and  Tow'r, 

Shall  all  their  crimes  repay  ; 
The  Lord  our  God  shall  wield  their  pow'r, 

The  slayer's  self  to  slay. 

NOTES. — This  is  very  probably  a  Psalm  of  the  captivity. 

II  ilt  tliou  tti  unrighteous  throne  maintain  ?  An  oppressive  nation 
of  conquerors  seems  to  be  pointed  out  by  this  question ;  and  this 
could  be  no  other  than  the  Chaldeans. 


176  PSALM     XCV. 


PSALM   XCV. 

O  come,  loud  anthems  let  us  sing, 
To  our  salvation's  Rock  and  King; 
Within  his  gates  with  psalms  rejoice, 
And  lift  on  high  our  thankful  voice. 

O  come,  and  let  our  songs  accord, 
To  bless  our  God,  the  only  Lord  ; 
For,  high  o'er  ev'ry  worsmpp'd  throne, 
The  Lord  our  God  is  Lord  alone. 

The  earth's  wide  bounds  are  in  his  hand  ; 
And  by  his  strength  the  mountains  stand  ; 
He  laid  the  sea's  unfathom'd  bed, 
And  far  the  shore's  fair  landscape  spread. 

Oh,  come,  and  let  us  lowly  fall, 
And  on  our  Maker  kneeling  call ; 
For  he  is  still  our  God  and  Rock, 
And  we  his  people  and  his  flock. 

To-day,  to-day,  his  voice  but  hear  ! 
"Oh,  close  not  fast  your  heart  and  ear, 
As  when  of  old  your  fathers'  pride 
So  long  my  ling'ring  wrath  defied. 

As  on  their  desert  march  they  mov'd, 
My  works  they  saw,  mine  arm  they  prov'd  ; 
And  forty  years  their  guilt  I  bore, 
Till  that  brief  race  was  seen  no  more. 

For  thus  I  spake  and  sware  in  wrath, 

'They  will  nol  choose  my  holy  path; 
Their  heart  from  crime  no  more  will  cease, 
They  shall  not  tread  my  land  of  peace.'" 

NOTES. — Borne  wordi  of  this  Psalm  arc  cited  In  the  New  Testa- 
ment (Heb.iv.  7.)  under  the  name  of  David.  As  the  whole  book, 
however,  has  so  often  been  called  the  Psalms  of  David,  we  ought  not, 


PSALM     XCVI.  177 

perhaps,  to  urge  this  mode  of  speech  as  conclusive  proof  that  the 
authorship  of  this  particular  Psalm  belonged  to  him.  In  the  Septua- 
gint,  all  the  Psalms  between  the  ninety -second  and  the  hundredth 
are  expressly  ascribed  to  David. 

To-day,  to-day  his  vokr  but  hear!  With  this  call  the  words  of  the 
Lord  himself  are  introduced,  reminding  the  people  of  the  ancient  sin 
and  punishment  of  Israel. 


PSALM   XCVI. 


Sing  to  the  Lord  a  new-made  lay, 

Sing,  all  the  earth,  his  sov'reign  name ; 

Sing  to  the  Lord,  and,  day  by  day, 
The  Lord's  redeeming  arm  proclaim. 

Tell  all  the  world  his  wond'rous  ways  ; 

Tell  ev'ry  heathen  land  and  ear ; 
Great  is  the  Lord,  and  great  his  praise, 

O'er  all  the  gods  that  mortals  fear. 

The  heathen  gods  are  idols  vain ; 

He  made  the  heav'ns,  and  he  supports  : 
And  light  and  honour  lead  his  train, 

And  strength  and  beauty  fill  his  courts. 

Give  to  the  Lord,  ye  tribes  and  tongues, 
Give  to  the  Lord  his  praise  and  state  ; 

Give  to  the  Lord  your  heav'nliest  songs, 
And  come  with  gifts,  and  throng  his  gate. 

Oh,  fear  and  bow  in  sacred  grace, 
And  tell  each  land,  that  God  is  King : 

He  fix'd  the  world's  unchanging  base, 
And  he  its  righteous  doom  shall  bring. 

Let  heav'n  be  glad,  let  earth  rejoice, 
The  peopled  ocean  toss  and  roar, 

The  plenteous  fields  lift  high  their  voice, 
The  wood's  wild  hymn  in  thunder  soar. 


17S  PSALM     XCVII. 

So  let  them  hail  their  sov'reign  God  ; 

For  lo,  he  comes,  he  comes  with  might, 
To  wield  the  sceptre  and  the  rod, 

To  judge  the  world  with  truth  and  right. 

NOTES.— In  the  sixteenth  chapter  of  the  first  Book  of  Chronicles, 
n  Psalm  is  found,  which  was  given  hy  David  to  Asaph  on  the  day  on 
which  the  ark  was  broughl  up  to  Mount  Sion.  It  is  composed  of  the 
one  hundred  and  fifth  Psalm,  the  whole  of  the  ninety-sixth,  excepting 
the  last  verse,  and  of  three  additional  verses,  which  belong  to  the  one 
hundred  and  sixth,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-sixth.  The  present 
Psalm,  therefore,  was  composed  by  David,  either  on  that  occasion, 
or  before  it. 

The  heathen  gods  arc  idols  vain.  It  is  impossible  to  give  the  verbal 
opposition  of  the  original. 


PSALM   XCVII. 

The  Lord  is  King:  with  rapture  loud 
Earth  and  her  isles  his  name  shall  own  : 

He  dwells  amidst  the  black'ning  cloud, 
And  judgment  lifts  his  awful  throne  : 

A  fiery  stream  before  him  flows, 

And  wastes  afar  his  flying  foes  ; 

His  lightning  shafts,  in  vengeance  hurl'd, 

Blaze  lurid  o'er  the  trembling  world. 

The  hills,  like  melting  wax,  dissolve, 

Where'er  his  sov'reign  presence  burns  ; 
The  heav'ns  proclaim  his  just  resolve, 

And  ev'ry  realm  his  glory  learns  : 
Be  shame  on  ev'ry  idol  boast, 
Till  bows  in  dust  their  worshipped  host; 
While  Judah's  daughters  glad  shall  see, 
While  Sion  sings,  0  Lord,  to  thee! 

For  far  o'er  ev'ry  throne  above, 

Thy  name,  my  God,  in  glory  tow'rs  : 
From  sin  to  Bee  is  thee  to  love, 

Who  sav'st  thy  saints  from  hostile  pow'rs  : 


PSALM     XCVIII.  179 

Light  on  the  righteous  path  is  sown, 
And  joy  around  the  pure  has  shone  ; 
Then  let  their  cheerful  songs  record 
Thy  sovereign  praise,  O  holy  Lord ! 

NOTES. — This  Psalm  resembles  the  preceding;  and  was,  per- 
haps, connected,  in  like  manner,  with  the  establishment  of  the  ark, 
either  in  the  tabernacle  on  Mount  Sion,  or  in  the  temple. 

He  dwells  amidst  the  blackening  cloud.  All  the  most  majestic  and 
awful  objects  in  nature  are  made  the  figures  of  the  glory  and  judg- 
ments of  God.  These  terrors,  although  they  spread  a  deep  awe  over 
the  pious  mind,  yet  cannot  restrain  its  rejoicing;  for  they  are  even 
exceeded  by  his  love  towards  them  that  fear  him.  Thus  the  Psalmist 
blends  them  with  his  most  joyful  hymns. 

Be  shame  on  cv'ry  idol  boast.  This  verse  is  the  celebrated  chorus, 
which  so  incensed  the  emperor  Julian,  when  a  multitude  of  Christians 
assembled  to  remove  the  remains  of  the  martyr  Babylas  from  the 
grove  of  Daphne  to  Antioch.  They  sang  psalms  in  choirs,  as  they 
passed ;  and  united  in  this  chorus,  which  reached  the  ears  of  the 
emperor  himself.  Several  were  afterwards  imprisoned ;  and  one 
young  man,  named  Theodore,  was  brought  to  the  rack;  but  he  sang 
the  same  psalms  amidst  his  torments. 

From  sin  to  flee  is  thee  to  love.  For  the  sake  of  harmony  with  the 
usage  of  our  own  language,  which  does  not  allow  those  frequent 
changes  of  person  that  are  so  common  in  the  Hebrew  poetry,  a 
greater  uniformity  in  this  respect  has  sometimes  been  retained  in  the 
translation  than  appears  in  the  original.  Perhaps  the  deviation  is, 
in  this  verse,  too  considerable. 

Light  on  the  riglUeous path  is  sown.     Lucretius  says,  L.  ii.  v.  211. 
u  Lumine  consent  arva." 
Sows  with  liffht  the  fields. 


PSALM   XCVIII. 


Sing  to  the  Lord  a  new-made  song, 
Who  wond'rous  things  has  done  : 

His  holy  arm  and  right  hand  strong 
Have  glorious  conquest  won. 

The  Lord  has  told  his  saving  might, 
By  highest  heav'n  ador'd  ; 

And  on  the  heathen's  dazzled  sight 
His  righteous  beams  has  pour'd. 


ISO  PSALM     XCVIII. 

He  thinks  on  all  his  truth  and  grace 

To  Israel  sworn  of  old  ; 
And  his  salvation's  glorious  trace 

Our  utmost  shores  behold. 

Oh,  shout  and  sing,  ye  realms  of  earth, 

And  thankful  praise  prolong ; 
Oh,  wake  to  God  the  harp's  high  mirth, 

The  harp  and  voice  of  song. 

Pour  out  the  clarion's  silver  swell, 

The  trumpet's  stormy  tone  ; 
The  world's  triumphant  joy  to  tell 

Before  its  Sov'reign's  throne. 

And  let  the  peopled  sea  rejoice, 

The  earth,  and  all  its  lands ; 
The  mighty  hills  lift  high  their  voice, 

The  waters  clap  their  hands. 

So  let  them  join,  their  Lord  to  greet, 

Who  comes  with  holy  might, 
To  sit  on  judgment's  awful  seat, 

And  judge  the  world  in  right. 

NOTES. — "A  Psalm."  It  exceedingly  resembles  the  ninety-sixth; 
and,  for  that  very  reason  it  may  be  doubted  whether  it  was  written  on 
the  same  occasion.  This  has  more  the  appearance,  also,  of  a  song 
after  victory.  All  these  hymns  of  exaltation  seem  to  have  their  true 
force  only  when  they  are  uttered  by  the  voice  of  Christian  praise. 

The  waters  chip  tluir  hanth.  This  was,  among  the  Hebrews,  as 
well  as  in  modern  nations,  a  sign  of  joy  and  applause.  It  was  em- 
ployed especially,  it  would  seem,  at  the  coronation  of  kings.  (2  Kings 
xi.  12.)  Hammond  remarks  that  the  striking  and  dashing  of  the 
waves  resembles  it. 


PSALM      XCIX.  1S1 


PSALM   XCIX. 

The  Lord  is  King,  enthron'd  on  high, 
Where  radiant  cherubs  veil  the  brow  : 

Let  nations  quake  beneath  his  eye, 

Let  earth's  foundations  trembling  bow. 

The  Lord  is  great  in  Sion's  tow'rs, 
And  fam'd  above  all  royal  fame  ; 

Let  all  thy  realms,  with  all  their  pow'rs, 
Exalt  and  dread  thy  hallow' d  name. 

O  mighty  King,  thy  sov'reign  sway 

The  righteous  cause  has  lov'd  and  led : 

A  law  of  truth  thy  tribes  obey, 

And  judgments  just  thy  glory  spread. 

Exalt  the  Lord  in  praises  loud, 

And  low  at  God's  pure  footstool  fall ; 

So  Moses  sang,  so  Aaron  bow'd, 
So  rose  the  voice  of  Samuel's  call. 

Prophets  and  priests,  they  call'd  on  thee, 
And  heard  thee  from  thy  cloud  in  heav'n  ; 

For  firm  they  kept  thy  good  decree, 
And  lov'd  the  law  thy  love  had  giv'n. 

Thou  heard'st  them,  Lord,  in  pard'ning  grace, 
Though  oft  they  drew  thy  chast'ning  rod  : 

Exalt  him  in  his  lofty  place, 

For  holy  reigns  the  Lord  our  God  ! 

NOTES. — This  is  also,  very  probably,  one  of  the  Psalms  which 
were  sung  at  the  removal  of  the  ark.  The  mention  of  Moses,  Aaron 
and  Samuel,  might  easily  have  led  any  poet  later  than  David  to  add 
the  name  of  David  himself.  But  the  Psalm  is  probably  the  work  of 
that  monarch,  as  well  as  of  his  age. 

Where  radiant  cherubs  veil  the  brow.  The  cherubim  that  spread 
their  wings  over  the  mercy-seat  were  emblematic  of  the  hosts  that  do 
the  divine  commandments  on  high.  When  the  Lord  is  said  to  sit  be- 
tween or  above  the  cherubim,  our  eyes  must  pass  from  the  earthly  to 
the  heavenly  temple. 

16 


182  PSALM     C. 

And  heard  thee  from  thy  cloud  in  heav'n.  The  allusion  is  to  the 
pillar  of  a  cloud  in  which  the  Lord  descended  upon  the  temple,  and 
spoke  with  Moses. 


PSALM   C. 


Lift  high  as  heav'n,  ye  lands  of  earth, 

The  strain  that  swells  from  countless  throngs  ; 

And  serve  the  Lord  with  sacred  mirth, 
And  seek  his  face  with  joy  and  songs. 

For  know,  the  Lord  is  God  alone  ; 

He  made  our  souls,  he  rules  our  way  ; 
We  are  not  ours,  but  all  his  own, 

The  sheep  that  mid  his  pastures  stray. 

Oh,  come,  and  mount,  with  glad  acclaim, 

Where  fair  his  kingly  portals  rise  ; 
And  tread  his  courts,  and  waft  his  name 

In  praise  beyond  the  answ'ring  skies. 

For  God  is  love,  and  endless  days 
Beneath  that  love  glide  on  in  light ; 

And  all  his  realms  his  truth  shall  praise, 
While  ages  speed  their  downward  flight. 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  praise."  It  was  undoubtedly  sung  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord.  The  paraphrase  of  this  Psalm  by  Dr.  Watts  has 
been  pronounced  the  loftiest  specimen  of  devotional  poetry  in  our 
language.  In  view  of  this,  and  of  the  excellence  of  Tate  in  tins  in- 
stance, I  should  have  been  tempted  not  to  offer  a  version  with  which 
I  am  so  little  satisfied,  were  it  not  necessary  for  the  completeness  of 
the  work. 

Lift  high  as  heav'n,  ye  lands  of  earth.  How  clearly  and  fully  do 
such  passages  of  the  Psalms  disclose  ilie  future  calling  of  the  Gen- 
tiles! All  nations  are  summoned  to  the  highest  arts  and  privileges 
of  worship,  and  all  that  separated  them  is  forgotten  in  this  delightful 
prospect. 

The  sheep  that  mid  his  pastures  stray.  "  And  other  sheep  I  have, 
which  are  not  of  this  fold  :  them  also  I  must  bring,  and  they  shall 
hear  my  voice;  and  there  <hall  he  one  fold,  and  one  shepherd." 
(John  x.  16.) 


PSALM    CI.  183 


PSALM    CI. 

Of  grace  and  judgment  I  will  sing  ; 
I  sing  to  thee,  my  Lord  and  King, 

And  seek  thy  way,  securely  wise  : 
Oh,  when  shall  thy  bright  presence  come, 
To  light  my  path,  to  cheer  my  home, 

And  on  my  upright  breast  arise  ? 

No  evil  wile  mine  eye  shall  heed  ; 
I  hate  the  false  transgressor's  deed ; 

Its  stain  shall  ne'er  around  me  cleave : 
The  faithless  tongue,  the  godless  heart, 
In  shame  and  silence  shall  depart, 

Nor  my  beleaguer' d  ear  deceive. 

The  sland'rer's  lips  my  wrath  shall  seal, 
That  joy  a  brother's  fame  to  steal ; 

The  lofty  brow  and  eye  of  pride 
Before  my  presence  ne'er  shall  stand, 
But  all  the  faithful  of  the  land 

Beneath  my  smile  shall  safe  abide. 

My  gates  shall  open  for  the  just ; 

Who  trusts  the  Lord  shall  bear  my  trust ; 

And  far  shall  cow'r  the  impious  train  ; 
Till,  through  my  land,  the  guilty  fall, 
Nor  God's  fair  city's  holy  wall 

Shall  echo  to  a  step  profane. 

NOTES— "  A  Psalm  of  David."  It  bears  internal  evidence  of 
this  authorship. 

And  on  my  upright  breast  arise,  ?  The  Psalmist  declares  that  he 
will  walk  before  the  Lord  uprightly  and  with  a  perfect  heart;  and, 
in  this  determination,  asks  the  divine  presence  and  blessing.  It  must 
always  be  remembered  that  the  king  of  Israel  was  the  figure  of  him 
who  should  be  our  King,  as  well  as  our  Prophet  and  Priest. 


1S4  PSALM     CII. 


PSALM   CII. 

Oh,  hear  my  pray'r,  and  let  my  cry 
Go  up  before  thee,  Lord,  on  high  ; 
Nor  hide  thy  face  in  days  of  need, 
But  come  in  love,  and  come  with  speed. 

My  days,  like  mounting  smoke-wreaths,  pass 
My  heart  is  parch'd,  like  wither'd  grass  ; 
A  fire  my  fleshless  bones  devours, 
And  groans  consume  my  fasting  hours. 

As  pines  the  bird  of  marshes  lone, 
As  makes  the  owl  her  desert  moan, 
As  from  the  tow'r  the  sparrow  cries, 
So  pours  my  soul  its  ceaseless  sighs. 

My  foes'  reproach  each  day  I  bear, 
My  banded  foes  destruction  swear, 
And  ashes  strew  my  lowly  board, 
And  tears  amidst  my  cup  are  pour'd. 

Thy  chast'ning  wrath  hath  sent  the  blow, 
Thou  lift'st  me  high,  thou  lay'st  me  low  ; 
My  da}rs,  like  sinking  shadows,  fly, 
And,  parch'd  like  with'ring  grass,  I  lie. 

But  thou,  O  Lord,  art  still  the  same  ; 
Age  tells  to  age  thine  endless  name  ; 
And  thou  shalt  yet  for  Sion  rise, 
And  view  her  wastes  with  pitying  eyes. 

Now  hastes  the  time,  the  time  fulfilled  ; 
The  Lord  his  city's  walls  shall  build  : 
Thy  servants  watch  her  prostrate  tow'rs, 
And  love  the  dust  that  hides  her  bow'rs. 

Then,  when  her  head  his  Sion  rears, 
And  God's  own  glorious  arm  appears, 


PSALM     CI  I.  185 

All  kings  of  earth  shall  praise  thy  throne, 
All  realms  shall  fear  thee,  Lord,  alone. 

For  God  shall  hear  the  humble  pray'r, 
And  make  the  sufferer's  cause  his  care  ; 
Till  future  times  his  praise  record, 
And  unborn  nations  bless  our  Lord. 

From  his  bright,  holy  place  above 
Looks  o'er  the  earth  the  Lord  of  love, 
And  hears  the  captive's  lonely  sigh, 
And  saves  the  guiltless,  doom'd  to  die. 

So,  Sion's  mount  his  name  shall  tell, 
So,  Salem's  tow'rs  his  praise  shall  swell, 
When  nations  come  in  mingling  throngs, 
And  pay  the  Lord  their  thousand  songs. 

He  bow'd  my  strength  amidst  my  way, 
And  hung  with  clouds  my  closing  day  : 
11  Oh,  not,"  I  cried,  "  so  swift,  so  soon  ! 
Remove  me  not,  my  God,  at  noon  ! 

Thy  3^ears  their  course  eternal  keep, 
While  ages  on  to  ages  sweep  ; 
Thy  might  the  earth's  foundations  laid, 
Thy  hands  the  heav'n's  bright  arch  array'd. 

They  all  shall  pass,  but  thou  shalt  stand  ; 
They  all  shall  fade  beneath  thine  hand  ; 
And,  like  a  vesture's  crumbling  fold, 
Shall  earth  and  heav'n  be  wrapp'd  and  roll'd. 

But  thou  nor  change  nor  end  canst  know, 
And  while  thy  years  eternal  flow, 
Thy  servants'  seed  thy  light  shall  see, 
Their  children's  children  dwell  with  thee." 

NOTES. — "  A  Prayer  of  the  afflicted,  when  he  is  overwhelmed 
with  sorrow,  and  pours  out  his  complaint  before  the  Lord."  This 
Psalm  must  have  been  written  during  the  captivity ;  and  is  probably 

16* 


1S6  psalm    cm. 

to  be  understood  rather  of  the  whole  people  than  of  the  individual 


Mjf  darns,  like  mounting  smoke -irreaths,  pass.  They  glide  away,  as 
if  without  substance  and  without  trace. 

As  pines  the  bird  of  marshes  lane.  The  bird  here  mentioned  is  com- 
monly supposed  to  be  the  pelican,  which  inhabits  watery  regions. 

As  from  the  toic'r  the  sparrow  cries.  An  author  on  Natural  History 
says  of  this  bird ;  "  It  usually  sits  alone  on  the  tops  of  old  buildings 
and  roots  of  churches,  singing  v ery  sweetly,  especially  in  the  morn- 
ing :  and  is  an  oriental  bird.  " 


PSALM   CHI 

Bless  thou  the  Lord,  my  grateful  heart, 
My  inmost  bosom,  bless  his  name  : 

Bless  thou  the  Lord,  my  heav'nlier  part, 
And  all  his  bounteous  deeds  proclaim. 

The  Lord  forgives  thy  guilty  stain, 
And  breaks  thy  fierce  disease's  sway. 

Redeems  thy  life  from  ruin's  chain, 

And  crowns  with  love  thy  peaceful  day. 

He  feasts  thy  lips  with  blessings  sweet, 
And  nerves  thy  frame  to  eagle  youth ; 

He  guides  the  guiltless  victim's  feet, 
And  shields  the  cause  of  fainting  truth. 

To  Moses'  eye  he  shew'd  his  path, 
His  deeds  to  Israel's  chosen  race : 

How  kind  his  love,  how  slow  his  wrath, 
How  rich  the  Lord's  abounding  grace  ! 

He  will  not  evermore  upbraid, 

Nor  stretch  his  wrath  to  distant  time  ; 

He  hath  not  all  our  sins  repaid, 
Nor  giv'n  the  just  reward  of  crime. 

For  look,  how  high  the  heav'n  above 
O'er  earth  and  sea  its  arch  extends  ; 


PSALM     CI  II.  IS? 

So  far  the  Lord's  enfolding  love 

Around  his  shelter' d  servants  bends. 

And  look,  how  far  from  East  to  West 
The  circling  sun  his  journey  goe-  : 

So  far  our  Maker's  gracious  breast 
Our  sins'  forgotten  burden  throws. 

As  melts  a  father's  bosom  mild, 

So  melts  the  Lord  o'er  them  that  pray  : 

He  knows  how  frail  his  mortal  child, 
And  pitying  sees  our  frame  of  clay. 

The  days  of  man  are  like  the  graa  - , 
A  flow'r  that  rises,  fair  and  green ; 

The  winds  along  the  meadows  pass, 
And  where  it  bloom'd  no  more  is  seen. 

But  God's  eternal  love  o'erspreads 
The  race  that  keep  his  cov'nant  true  ; 

And  children's  children  on  their  heads 
Receive  his  blessing's  kindfr  dew. 

He  sends  his  righteous  succour  nigh, 
And  owns  his  faithful  servants'  call ; 

The  Lord,  whose  throne  is  fix'd  on  high, 
Whose  broad  dominion  circles  all. 

Oh,  bless  the  Lord,  ye  angels  strong, 
Who  hear  his  voice,  his  word  fulfil ; 

Oh,  bless  the  Lord,  ye  glorious  throng, 
Who  speed  to  bear  his  sovereign  will ; 

Oh,  bless  the  Lord,  ye  hosts  of  light, 
And  far  as  e'er  your  chariots  roll, 

Let  all  his  works  adore  his  might ; 
Bless  thou  the  Lord,  my  grateful  soul ! 

NOTES  —    A  Psalm  of  David."    It  was  the  death-bed  Psalm  of 
Bishop  Sanderson. 


1SS  PSALM     CIV. 

And  nrrr,  I  thy  frame  ie  tmgk  youth.  The  eagle,  renewing  his 
plumes, seems  to  put  on  a  second  youth;  and  this  Lb  the  foundation 
of  the  comparison.     So  Isaiah  (\1.  31.) 

"They  thai  wail  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew  their  strength; 
They  shall  mount  up  with  wings  as  eagles.1' 
For  loo',,  how  high  the  heav'u  above.     What  more  glorious,  or  what 
more  sooming,  picture  of  the  divine  character  can  !><'  imagined,  than 
that  which  in  this  and  the  two  following  venes^  cheers  the  repentant 
sinner  ! 

Oh,  bless  the  Lord,  y<  hosts  of  Ugkt.  The  Hebrew  poetry  repre- 
sents the  superior  orders  of  beings  under  the  figure  of  innumerable 
armies  attending  in  the  majestic  train  of  the  King  of  kings. 


PSALM   CIV. 


Oh,  bless  the  Lord  with  all  thy  powers, 
My  mounting  spirit,  bless  his  name  : 

O  Lord  my  God,  how  greatly  tow'rs 

Thy  sov'reign  throne  in  strength  and  fame  ! 

A  radiant  robe  of  golden  light 

The  Lord  around  his  glory  throws: 

He  spreads  the  heav'ns,  his  curtain  bright ; 
His  chambers  on  the  deep  repose. 

He  makes  the  clouds  his  awful  car  ; 

He  rides  upon  the  tempest's  wing  ; 
Like  winds  and  lightnings,  swift  and  far, 

His  mighty  angels  serve  their  King. 

HefixM  the  earth's  foundations  old, 
That  shall  not  change  while  ages  flee  ; 

And,  like  a  garment's  flowing  fold, 
He  pour'd  around  the  rolling  sea. 

High  o'er  the  bills,  without  ashore, 
Their  mighty  sheet  the  waters  spread : 

At  thy  rebuke,  thy  thunder's  roar, 
They  hasted  to  their  ocean  bed. 


PSALxM     CIV.  1S9 

Then  mountains  o'er  the  torrents  frown'd, 
And  vales  the  gentle  brooks  supplied  ; 

And  ne'er  again,  beyond  its  bound, 
Shall  climb  o'er  earth  the  subject  tide. 

Beneath  thy  hand,  the  sparkling  streams 
Mid  lonely  hills  their  pathway  burst : 

There,  shuns  the  herd  the  noonday  beams, 
And  there  the  wild  ass  slakes  his  thirst. 

Along  the  banks,  in  shaded  nests, 

The  air's  blithe  songsters  sit  and  sing : 

Thy  chambers  lave  the  mountain  crests, 
Thy  works  refresh  each  living  thing. 

Thy  grassy  meads,  thy  golden  soil, 
To  beast  and  man  their  stores  impart ; 

The  joyous  wine,  the  glist'ning  oil, 

The  bread  that  cheers  the  fainting  heart. 

The  trees  of  God,  with  moisture  fill'd, 

The  ancient  cedars,  upward  tow'r  ; 
There,  tuneful  bands  their  refuge  build, 

There  makes  the  stork  her  shelter'd  bow'r. 

Where  loftier  rocks  ascend  the  sky, 
From  crag  to  crag  the  wild  goats  leap  ; 

And  safe  beyond  the  slayer's  eye, 
Their  mountain  hold  the  conies  keep. 

God  gives  the  moon  her  time  to  shine, 
And  shews  the  sun  his  downward  way  ; 

And  when  the  shades  of  eve  decline, 
He  sends  abroad  the  herds  of  prey. 

Then,  gliding  from  the  tangled  wood, 

The  lion's  roaring  offspring  roam  : 
They  seek  from  God  their  destin'd  food, 

Till  morn's  red  dawn  affrights  them  home. 


190  PSALM     CIV. 

The  rising  sun  o'er  nature  glows  ; 

In  dens  the  fierce  destroyers  hide  ; 
And  man  to  cheerful  labour  goes, 

And  plies  his  toil  till  evening  tide. 

Oh,  how  thy  varied  works  abound ! 

In  wisdom,  Lord,  they  all  were  made  : 
And  earth,  with  thy  rich  treasures  crown'd, 

In  living  beauty  stands  array'd  ! 

And  lo,  the  broad  and  mighty  sea, 

Where,  small  and  great,  its  myriads  stray  ! 

There  cleave  the  ships  their  pathway  free, 
And  there  the  wat'ry  monsters  play. 

So  wide  thy  works  before  thee  stand, 
And  wait  from  thee  their  daily  food  : 

They  gather  from  thy  bounteous  hand, 
And  all  that  breathe  are  fill'd  with  good. 

Thou  hid'st  thy  face,  they  sink  in  death, 
They  vanish  from  the  realms  of  day  ; 

Thou  stay'st  the  tide  of  vital  breath, 
And  falls  to  dust  the  form  of  clay. 

Thou  send'st  abroad  thy  spirit's  might, 
And  nature  feels  the  kindling  birth  : 

A  new  creation  springs  to  light, 

And  jo}^  o'erspreads  the  smiling  earth. 

While  ages  rim  their  endless  race, 
The  Lord's  high  glory  shall  not  Hide  : 

And  fax  as  worlds  his  works  may  trace, 
The  Lord  shall  joy  in  all  he  made. 

He  looks  on  earth  ;  beneath  his  sight 

Kiii-ih's  mighty  bosom  thrill.-  and  quakes; 
His  touch  is  on  the  mountain's  height, 

And  forth  the  smoky  volume  breaks. 


PSALM     CV.  191 

My  soul  and  voice,  while  life  shall  beat, 
Shall  hymn  the  Lord  in  joyful  lays  : 

My  thought  on  God  shall  still  be  sweet, 
And  all  my  being  shall  be  praise. 

While  men  of  guilt  in  death  depart, 

Nor  earth  shall  bear  their  names  abhorr'd, 

Bless  thou  thy  God,  my  grateful  heart, 
And  ev'ry  creature,  bless  the  Lord ! 

NOTES. — It  is  impossible  to  fix  the  origin  of  this  magnificent 
Psalm,  which  the  S  eptuaginc,  however,  ascribes  to  David. 

His  chambers  on  the  deep  repose.  The  chambers  of  the  Orientals 
were  placed  in  the  upper  part  of  the  house,  and  were  entered  by  a 
separate  door.  Their  seclusion  is  the  point  of  comparison  in  this 
place. 

His  mighty  angels  serve  their  King.  Such  is  the  inspired  inter- 
pretation. (Heb.  i.  7.)  "He  makes  his  angels  spirits,"  says  St. 
Jerome,  "that  they  may  inspire  men  with  a  desire  to  do  his  will." 

High  o'er  the  hills,  without  a  shore.  This  was  the  chaotic  state, 
which  preceded  the  present  formation  of  the  earth.  "  Darkness  was 
upon  the  face  of  the  deep."     (Gen.  i.  2.) 

The  joyous  wine,  the  glistening  oil.  So  Pliny  ;  "  duo  sunt  liquores 
corporibus  humanis  gratissimi,  intus  vini,  foris  olei."  (Hist.  Nat. 
lxiv.  22.)  "  There  are  two  fluids  most  grateful  to  the  organization  of 
man;  wine  within,  and  oil  without." 

Their  mountain  hold  the  conies  keep.  The  creature  here  named  is, 
says  Mr.  Green,  "  a  large  kind  of  mouse  which  lodges  in  rocky  and 
mountainous  places.  It  is  a  harmless  creature  which  chews  the  cud, 
and  is  of  the  size  of  a  rabbit,  but  of  a  browner  colour,  smaller  eyes, 
and  a  head  more  pointed." 

And  h,  the  broad  and  mighty  sea.  Lamartine  imagines  the  Psalm- 
ist, when  he  thus  sung,  gazing  from  the  heights  of  Lebanon,  and 
catching  a  distant  view  of  the  flashing  billows. 

His  touch  is  on  tlie  mountain's  height.  There  may  be  an  allusion  to 
volcanoes. 


PSALM    CV. 

Oh,  thank  the  Lord,  and  call  his  name, 
And  tell  the  nations  all  his  fame  ; 
Sing,  sing  the  psalm  of  rich  delight,  ^ 
And  speak  his  deeds  of  wondrous  might. 


102  PSALM     CV. 

In  God's  great  name,  with  heart  and  voice, 
Let  all  that  seek  him  still  rejoice  : 
Oh,  seek,  while  life  prolongs  the  hour, 
His  sov'reign  aid's  redeeming  pow'r. 

Think  on  the  wonders  of  his  hand, 
The  mighty  works  of  his  command  ; 
Let  Abraham's  seed  his  judgments  trace, 
Let  Jacob's  chosen  tell  his  grace. 

The  Lord  our  God  is  Lord  alone  ; 
O'er  all  the  earth  his  truth  has  shone  : 
He  keeps  his  oath  of  old  reveal'd, 
His  pledge  to  thousand  ages  seal'd  ; 

To  Abraham  giv'n,  to  Isaac  sworn, 
In  ceaseless  faith  by  Israel  borne  ; 
"  In  Canaan's  fields  shalt  thou  be  heir, 
And  make  thy  peaceful  dwelling  there." 

Yet  few  were  they,  a  feeble  band, 
And  strangers  in  their  promis'd  land  ; 
From  tribe  to  tribe  content  to  roam, 
Each  distant  realm  awhile  their  home. 

But  all  their  way  he  guarded  round, 
And  check'd  the  wrath  of  monarchs  crowrn'd  ; 
11  From  mine  anointed  stay  thine  arm, 
Nor  do  my  holy  prophets  harm." 

O'er  all  their  fields  a  dearth  he  spoke  ; 
The  staff  of  strength'ning  bread  he  broke  ; 
But  first  a  just  deliv'rer  gave, 
The  bondman  Joseph,  sold  to  save. 

In  chains  he  lay  :  his  guiltless  heart 
Endur'd  the  iron's  servile  smart ; 
Till  prov'd  of  God,  his  truth  was  known, 
And  justice  spoke  from  Pharaoh's  throne. 


PSALM     CV.  193 

The  lord  of  nations  broke  his  chain  ; 
The  monarch  gave  him  all  his  reign  ; 
And  chiefs  were  fetter'd  at  his  will, 
And  sages  listen'd,  and  were  still. 

Then  Israel  came,  th'  Eg3^ptian's  guest, 
And  Ham's  fair  plains  were  Jacob's  rest : 
God  made  his  fruitful  people  strong 
Beyond  their  t}Tants'  madd'ning  throng. 

His  love  enrag'd  th'  oppressor's  heart ; 
They  watch' d  his  tribes  with  murd'rous  art  : 
Then  Moses  at  his  call  arose, 
Then  Aaron,  his  pure  priest,  he  chose. 

Then  Ham's  dim  land  his  wonders  knew, 
While  darkness  o'er  their  coasts  he  threw  ; 
And  when  his  word  was  still  defied, 
He  roll'd  in  blood  their  peopled  tide. 

Teem'd  all  their  land  with  slimy  swarms, 
Teem'd  royal  halls  with  loathsome  forms  : 
He  spake,  and  flies  o'erspread  their  coasts, 
And  liv'd  the  dust  in  noisome  hosts. 

He  gave  them  hail  for  dewy  rains  ; 
He  swept  with  flame  their  fruitful  plains  ; 
The  vine,  the  fig,  his  tempests  tare, 
And  bow'd  to  earth  their  branches  bare. 

Th'  unnumber'd  worm  and  locust  prey'd 
Amidst  their  gardens'  joyous  shade  ; 
And  last,  the  sword  of  vengeance  swept, 
And  Egypt  o'er  her  firstborn  wept. 

With  gold  and  silver,  forth  they  came, 
In  all  their  tribes  no  feeble  frame ;  i 

And  glad  th'  Egyptian's  fainting  heart 
Beheld  their  dreaded  train  depart. 

17 


194  PSALM     CVI. 

God  led  their  march  :  his  cloud  by  day, 
His  fire  by  night,  o'erhung  the  way  : 
They  ask'd  for  bread  ;  from  heav'n  it  fell; 
And  deserts  pour'd  the  rocky  well. 

Such  wonders  shone  on  mortal  view ; 
So  prov'd  the  Lord  his  promise  true  : 
On  Abraham,  on  his  word,  he  thought, 
And  forth  in  joy  his  chosen  brought. 

He  fix'd  their  home  on  Gentile  soil ; 
They  reap'd  the  fields  of  heathen  toil : 
Oh,  taught  so  well  to  love  his  waj^s, 
And  keep  his  word,  give  God  the  praise  ! 

NOTES. — The  first  part  of  this  Psalm,  as  has  been  before  remark- 
ed, is  comprised  in  a  Psalm  given  by  David  to  Asaph,  when  the  ark 
was  brought  to  Mount  Sion.  That  part  consists  of  the  first  seven 
verses  in  this  translation.  It  might  be  imagined  that  the  rest  was 
afterwards  added  ;  but  the  portion  included  in  that  Psalm  has  rather 
the  aspect  of  an  extract  from  some  longer  poem  like  this.  St.  Jerome 
well  remarks  of  this  and  the  following  Psalm,  that  though  they  relate 
to  the  fathers,  yet  all  these;  things  happened  unto  them  for  ensamples, 
and  were  written  for  our  instruction.  "  Omnia  enim  qua  continge- 
banf  antiquitus,  in  figura  contingebant ;  utnos  erudiremur." 

From  mine  anointed  stay  thine  arm.  The  patriarchs  are  called  the 
anointed  and  the  prophets  of  God. 

In  all  their  tribes  no  feeble  frame.  None  were  prevented  by  disease 
or  infirmity  from  following  the  host. 


PSALM    CVI. 

Oil,  bless  the  Lord  :  give  God  the  praise, 
Whose  mercy  reigns  through  endless  days  : 
Oh,  who  his  mighty  acts  can  tell, 
Or  who  his  hymn  can  justly  swell? 

How  bless'd  are  they,  whose  upright  tread 
From  truth's  fair  path  no  snare  has  led  ! 
O  Lord,  on  me  in  mercy  shine, 
And  be  thy  servants'  portion  mine. 


PSALM     CVI.  195 

Let  thy  salvation  come  to  me, 
That  I  thy  chosen's  bliss  may  sec, 
Amidst  thy  people's  joy  rejoice, 
And  lift  with  theirs  my  thankful  voice. 

But  we  have  sinn'd  :  with  dread  accord 
Our  sires  and  we  have  scorn'd  the  Lord : 
Our  sires  forgot  his  deeds  of  grace, 
His  wonders  wrought  on  Egypt's  race  : 

They  trespass'd  by  the  Red  Sea's  wave, 
Yet  there  his  arm  was  nigh  to  save  ; 
He  sav'd  them  for  his  own  great  name, 
And  spread  afar  his  sov'reign  fame. 

He  chid  the  sea,  and  open  lay 

Through  billowy  walls  their  guarded  way  ; 

And  safe  as  on  the  desert's  sand, 

He  bore  them  from  th'  oppressor's  hand. 

Dark  o'er  their  foes  the  flood  came  down  ; 
Not  one  was  left,  nor  crest  nor  crown  : 
Then  God's  true  word  his  tribes  ador'd, 
And  high  their  song  of  triumph  soar'd. 

But  ah,  how  soon,  redeem'd  from  harm, 
Their  heart  forgot  the  rescuing  arm  ! 
They  ask'd  no  more  his  counsel  true, 
But  hot  desire  to  madness  grew. 

They  cried  for  bread  with  rebel  haste ; 
They  murmur'd  on  their  pathway  waste  : 
God  gave  them  all  their  lust  would  crave, 
And  lust's  own  plagues  in  vengeance  gave. 

In  peaceful  tents  secure  they  lay, 
And  envied  Moses'  guardian  sway, 
And  envied  Aaron's  saintly  rod, 
And  dar'd  the  outstretch'd  arm  of  God, 


196  PSALM     CVI. 

Earth  op'd  her  mouth  ;  and  Dathan  died, 

And  sank  Abirani's  band  of  pride  : 

A  fire  along  their  armies  flew, 

And  wasting  flames  th'  ungodly  slew. 

At  Horeb's  base  a  calf  they  made  ; 
Around  the  molten  mass  they  pray'd  ; 
And  set  in  God's  most  glorious  seat 
The  beast  that  grazes  at  our  feet. 

Forgot  was  he,  their  Saviour  strong, 
Who  bore  them  from  th'  Egyptian's  wrong, 
In  Ham's  dark  land  his  wonders  show'd, 
And  through  the  sea  spread  wide  their  road. 

Then  spake  the  Lord  his  awful  doom, 
To  sweep  them  to  their  common  tomb  ; 
But  in  the  breach  his  prophet  stood, 
And  turn'd  aside  the  wrathful  flood. 

They  scorn'd  his  land  of  fair  delight ; 
They  would  not  trust  his  promis'd  might ; 
Within  their  tents  secure  they  lay, 
And  cast  their  God's  true  words  awa}r. 

Then  rear'd  the  Lord  his  hand,  and  sware 
To  waste  their  rebel  armies  there, 
To  strew  them  on  the  desert  sands, 
And  drive  their  seed  to  distant  lands. 

Theybow'd  to  Poor's  imag'd  lord, 
And  ate  the  idol's  feasts  abhorr'd  ; 
They  dar'd  in  pride  their  Maker's  stroke, 
And  forth  the  plague  of  judgment  broke. 

Then  Phineas  rose,  the  faithful  priest, 

And  while  he  pray'd,  the  vengeance  ceas'd  : 

Thrice  honour  d  name  !  through  endless  days 

That  righteous  deed  shall  waft  his  praise. 


PSALM     CVI.  197 

They  strove  beside  the  Fount  of  Strife, 
And  Moses  gave  his  forfeit  life  ; 
For  then  their  guilt  his  spirit  stung, 
Till  rashly  spoke  his  erring  tongue. 

They  spar'd  the  race  whom  God  would  slay  ; 
They  trod  the  Pagan's  impious  way ; 
At  idol  shrines  they  made  their  pray'r, 
And  fell  within  the  heathen's  snare. 

To  Canaan's  demon  gods  they  bore 
Their  murder' d  sons,  their  daughters'  gore  : 
Blood,  guiltless  blood,  their  shores  profan'd, 
Their  offspring's  blood  their  garments  stain' d. 

Their  works  of  guilt,  their  ways  of  guile, 
Estrang'd  the  Lord's  protecting  smile  : 
Red  o'er  his  tribes  his  wrath  arose  ; 
He  loath'd  the  realm  that  once  he  chose. 

He  gave  them  to  the  heathen's  rod  ; 
Stern  on  their  necks  their  foemen  trod  ; 
And  fast  th'  oppressor's  chain  was  riv'n, 
So  oft  they  sinn'd,  so  oft  forgiv'n. 

For  still  they  chose  their  evil  will, 
And  pride  ensnar'd  and  crush'd  them  still  : 
But  when  he  saw  their  contrite  tears, 
Then  rose  their  cry  to  pitying  ears. 

Then  all  his  cov'nant  sworn  return'd, 
And  all  his  ancient  mercy  burn'd ; 
And  e'en  within  their  foemen's  heart 
He  bade  the  streams  of  pity  start. 

Still,  Lord  our  God,  from  heathen  lands 
Redeem  and  lead  our  scatter'd  bands, 
Thy  sov'reign  name  in  songs  to  raise, 
And  triumph  in  thy  holy  praise. 

17* 


19S  PSALM     CVII. 

Lord  God  of  Israel,  praise  to  thee, 
As  ever  was,  and  e'er  shall  be  : 
Let  all  with  glad  amen  accord, 
And  ev'ry  people  bless  our  Lord  ! 

NOTES. — The  character  of  this  Psalm  is  precisely  similar  to  that 
of  the  preceding.  But  the  concluding  verses  lead  us  to  the  era  of 
the  captivity  :  it  is  probably,  therefore,  an  imitation  and  continuation 
of  the  former,  composed  in  a  later  age. 

They  bowd  to  Pcofs  imag'd  lord.  "  Baal-Peor"  is  "  the  lord  of 
Peor." 

They  strove  beside  the  Fount  of  Strife.  The  waters  of  Meribah  re- 
ceived thus  their  name. 

To  Canaan's  demon  gods  they  bore.  This  corresponds  with  the 
version  of  the  Septuagint. 

With  this  Psalm  the  fourth  Book  closes  ;  and  the  doxology  in  the 
last  verse  is  viewed  as  the  form  of  conclusion. 


PSALM   CVII. 

Oh,  bless  the  Lord  of  endless  grace, 

As  endless  as  his  days  : 
Let  hisredeem'dhis  mercies  trace, 

And  sing  his  sov'reign  praise. 

He  broke  their  tyrants'  iron  bands, 

And  led  their  armies  forth, 
From  Eastern  and  from  Western  lands, 

From  South  and  utmost  North. 

They  wander'd  on  a  lonely  waste  ; 

No  plenteous  tow'rs  were  near  ; 
No  stream  to  soothe  their  parching  taste, 

Their  fainting  soul  to  cheer : 

Then  heard  the  Lord  the  pilgrims'  cry, 

And  bore  then]  from  their  woes, 
Till  height  before  their  weary  eye, 

Their  home's  fair  walls  arose. 


PSALM     CVII.  199 

Oh,  might  his  love,  on  mortals  shown, 

By  mortal  songs  be  spread  ; 
Who  stills  the  thirsty  suff'rer's  moan, 

And  fills  the  poor  with  bread  ! 

E'en  so,  where  midnight  darkness  reigns, 
And  death's  still  deep'ning  shade, 

Fast  bound  in  sorrows  and  in  chains, 
Their  sinking  forms  they  laid. 

For  from  the  Lord's  commandment  just 
They  turn'd  with  scorn  and  shame  ; 

Therefore  he  bow'd  them  to  the  dust, 
And  no  deliv'rer  came. 

Then  heard  the  Lord  the  captives'  cry, 
And  bore  them  from  their  woes, 

And  bade  the  midnight  darkness  fly, 
And  death  its  bonds  unclose. 

Oh,  might  his  love,  on  mortals  shown, 

By  mortal  songs  be  spread  ; 
Who  broke  the  brazen  portals  down, 

The  bars  of  iron  shred  ! 

So,  burning  plagues  in  judgment  pour'd 

The  fools  of  guilt  appal : 
Their  soul  abhors  the  festal  board  ; 

At  death's  dark  gate  they  fall : 

Then  hears  the  Lord  the  sufF'rers'  cry, 
And  bears  them  from  their  woes  ; 

He  sends  his  word  of  healing  nigh, 
And  balm  and  comfort  flows. 

Oh,  might  his  love,  on  mortals  shown, 

By  mortal  songs  be  spread  ; 
And  grateful  gifts  his  wonders  own, 

And  shouts  of  joyous  dread  ! 


200  PSALM     CVII. 

They  that  go  down  upon  the  deep 

Before  the  fickle  breeze, 
And  there  their  vent'rous  business  keep 

Upon  the  mighty  seas  ; 

They  know  the  Lord's  tremendous  hand, 

And  see  his  ocean  deeds, 
When,  rising  grim  at  his  command, 

The  thund' ring  tempest  speeds. 

They  mount  upon  the  crested  wave, 
That  seems  to  scale  the  clouds  ; 

Then,  deep  beneath,  the  billowy  grave 
Their  trembling  bark  enshrouds. 

Cold  fears  o'er  all  their  members  steal, 
Their  melting  pow'rs  decline, 

While  on  the  reeling  deck  they  reel, 
Like  men  o'ercome  with  wine. 

Then  hears  the  Lord  the  voy'gers'  cry, 
And  bears  them  from  their  woes  ; 

Till  o'er  the  gentle  waves  they  spy 
Their  haven's  wish'd  repose. 

Oh,  might  his  love,  on  mortals  shown, 

By  mortal  songs  be  spread  , 
Where  pray'rs  of  myriads  seek  his  throne, 

By  hoary  wisdom  led  ! 

He  makes  the  floods  a  dreary  sand, 

The  streams  a  desert  bare, 
And  wastes  with  drought  a  fruitful  land, 

When  guilt  has  sojourn'd  there. 

He  makes  the  Bands  a  lovely  lake, 
The  waste,  o'erflowing  springs ; 

And  there,  \\\>  plenteous  home  to  take, 
The  famish'd  exile  brings. 


PSALM     CVII.  201 

They  build,  they  sow,  they  plant  in  peace 
The  vineyard's  wealthy  ground  : 

Their  households  in  his  smile  increase, 
Their  stately  herds  abound. 

Again,  with  woe,  defeat  and  need, 

Their  scatter'd  bands  decay ; 
And,  cloth'd  with  scorn,  a  royal  seed 

Through  pathless  deserts  stray  ; 

While  high  above  a  thousand  ills 

He  lifts  the  righteous  poor ; 
And  like  the  flocks  on  many  hills, 

Their  households  spread  secure. 

The  just  rejoice  ;  and,  guilt  must  gaze, 

And  ope  her  lips  no  more  : 
Whoe'er  is  wise  shall  mark  his  ways, 

And  God's  dear  love  adore. 

NOTES. — From  the  mention  of  political  revolutions,  in  this 
Psalm,  and  especially  of  exile  and  the  return  of  the  exiles,  it  is  highly 
probable  that  it  was  composed  soon  after  the  captivity.  Five  classes 
of  persons  are  described  in  their  several  dangers;  wanderers  from 
their  home,  prisoners,  sufferers  from  disease,  mariners  tossed  with 
tempests,  and  the  citizens  of  a  concpiered  and  desolated  land.  Each 
of  the  first  four  classes  is  painted  as  calling  upon  God  from  the  midst 
of  their  perils ;  and  his  interposition  is  related  in  similar  language. 
A  chorus,  varied  a  little  in  each  instance,  follows  each  picture.  The 
whole  has  an  appropriate  introduction  and  conclusion. 

They  mount  upon  the  crested  wave.  A  description  of  a  tempest  by 
Ovid  (Tristia,  Lib.  i.  Eleg.  2.)  is  very  similar. 

u  Me  miserum,  quanti  montes  volvuntur  aquarum  ! 

Jamjam  tacturos  sidera  summa  putes. 
Quanta?  diducto  subsidunt  oequore  valles  ! 

Jamjam  jacturas  tartara  nigra  putes. 
Rector  in  incerto  est,  nee  quid  fugiatve  petatve 

Invenit,  ambiguis  ars  stupet  ipsa  malis." 
Ah  me,  what  billowy  mountains  roll  on  high  ! 

Now  seem  they  e'en  to  reach  the  starry  steep  : 
What  billowy  vales  beneath  subsiding  lie  ! 

Now  seem  they  e'en  to  heave  th'  infernal  deep. 
Nor  aid  nor  flight  th'  uncertain  pilot  knows : 
Skill  stands  bewilder'd  with  the  strife  of  woes. 
By  hoary  wisdom  led.     The  presence  of  the  elders,  in  public  places 
and  worship,  indicates  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion. 


202  PSALM     CVIII. 


PSALM   CVIII. 

My  heart  is  turned,  O  God  my  King, 
My  glory  wakes,  to  shout  and  sing : 
Awake,  my  lute  ;  awake,  my  lyre  ; 
I  wake  with  morning's  eastern  fire. 

Amidst  the  realms  I  praise  my  Lord, 
Amidst  the  nations'  glad  aceord : 
Thy  mercy  highest  heav'n  transcends, 
Thy  truth  beyond  the  clouds  extends. 

Be  thou,  O  God,  exalted  high 
In  thy  bright  realms  above  the  sky  ; 
Let  earth  thy  love  and  glory  see  ; 
And  stretch  thy  saving  arm  to  me. 

And  hark,  the  Lord  lifts  high  his  voice, 
And  in  his  word  my  ears  rejoice  : 
I  haste,  old  Shechem's  tow'rs  to  scale, 
And  spread  my  line  o'er  Succoth's  vale. 

And  mine  are  Gilead's  fruitful  hills, 
And  mine  the  fields  Manasseh  tills  ; 
My  helmet's  strength  are  Ephraim's  bands  ; 
My  sceptre  rests  in  Judah's  hands. 

In  Moab's  streams  my  feet  I  lave, 
And  cast  my  shoe  to  Edom's  slave  ; 
And  o'er  Philistia  swell  on  high 
A  conqu'ring  lord's  rejoicing  cry. 

But  who  shall  lead  our  scatter'd  pow'rs, 
And  brino  to  Edom's  battled  tow'rs  ? 
And  hast  thou  cast  us,  Lord,  away, 
And  lead'stno  more  our  weak  array  ? 

Oh,  give  us  aid  from  trouble's  chain, 
For  man's  poor  aid  is  false  and  vain  : 


PSALM     CIX.  203 

We  march  with  God's  victorious  might, 
And  he  shall  tread  our  foes  in  flight. 

NOTES.—"  A  Song  and  Psalm  of  David."  The  first  two  stanzas, 
and  a  part  of  the  third,  are,  with  a  trifling  variation,  taken  from  the 
fifty-seventh  Psalm,  and  the  remainder  from  the  sixtieth.  Perhaps 
the  cause  of  this  compilation  was  in  some  manner  connected  with  the 
use  of  the  Psalms  in  the  public  worship  of  the  Jews. 

Let  earth  thy  love  and  glory  see.  Here  is  the  transition  from  the 
former  to  the  latter  Psalm.  It  is  observable  that  the  few  slight  changes 
appear  to  give  to  the  present  Psalm  a  little  more  the  aspect  of  confi- 
dence and  triumph,  than  appears  in  the  Psalms  from  which  it  is 
compiled. 


PSALM   CIX. 


God  of  my  praise,  oh,  be  not  silent  now  : 
False,  guilty  lips  my  swift  destruction  vow, 
Against  my  fame  their  faithless  tale  resound, 
And  hem  my  path  with  words  of  hatred  round. 

In  causeless  war  they  spread  the  murd'rous  snare, 
By  many  a  curse  give  back  a  brother's  pray'r, 
With  ill  on  ill  my  purpose  kind  repel, 
And  hate  the  heart  that  lov'd  them  once  so  well. 

Place  thou  a  tyrant  o'er  his  falling  race  ; 
At  his  right  hand  a  fierce  accuser  place  ; 
Condemn  his  cause  in  judgment's  awful  time, 
And  let  his  pray'r  but  swell  his  load  of  crime. 

Few  be  his  days,  and  soon  his  sentence  seal'd, 
And  let  another's  hand  his  office  wield  ; 
Let  his  lorn  spouse  forsake  his  desert  home, 
And  far  for  bread  his  helpless  children  roam. 

Let  strangers  spoil  his  wealth,  and  none  so  dear 
To  give  his  children's  woes  a  kindly  tear  : 
Destroy  their  name  from  each  familiar  spot, 
And  let  a  few  fleet  years  their  hist'ry  blot. 


204  PSALM     CIX. 

Still  let  his  father's  sins  before  thee  lie, 
Still  on  his  mother's  guilt  be  fix'd  thine  eye ; 
Nor  let  their  tale  of  crime  thy  mem'ry  shun, 
Till  all  their  name  be  quench'd  beneath  the  sun. 

For  in  his  prosperous  pride  he  would  not  heed 
Sweet  mercy's  voice,  nor  love's  benignant  deed  ; 
But  tow'rds  the  poor  and  wretched  aim'd  his  stroke, 
And  crush' d  to  earth  the  hearts  which  thou  hadst 
broke. 

He  lov'd  the  curse  ;  on  him  the  curse  shall  be  : 
He  chose  not  blessing  ;  blessing  far  shall  flee  : 
As  round  him  cursing  like  a  cloak  he  drew, 
So  let  it  pierce  his  heart  and  members  through. 

Within,  like  searching  oil  or  waters  cold, 

Without,  a  mantle's  all-embracing  fold, 

A  constant  girdle  girded  to  their  breast, 

The  Lord's  dread  curse  with  mine  accusers  rest. 

O  Lord  my  God,  in  thy  dear  love  be  near  ; 
With  thy  great  name  to  save  my  cause  appear : 
Wretched,  and  poor,  and  ready  to  depart, 
Before  thy  throne  I  bow  nxy  broken  heart. 

Brief  as  the  evening  shadow  on  the  plain, 
Chas'd,  like  the  locust  from  the  rip'ning  grain, 
With  fainting  knees  and  failing  flesh  I  tread, 
And  foes  look  on,  and  shake  the  scornful  head. 

Save  me,  O  Lord  my  God,  in  mercy  save, 
And  let  them  see  what  arm  salvation  gave, 
And  in  thy  deeds  the  sov'reign  Lord  confess  : 
So,  let  them  curse  me,  Lord,  if  thou  but  bless. 

Oh,  when  they  rise,  bring  down  their  pride  to  dust, 
And  let  thy  servant  glory  in  his  trust ; 
And  let  their  tow'ring  heads  with  shame  be  crown'd, 
And  shame,  for  robes  of  beauty,  wrap  them  round. 


PSALM    ex.  205 

My  mouth  shall  praise  the  Lord  with  lofty  songs, 
My  lips  shall  praise  him  mid  adoring  throngs  ; 
For  on  the  poor's  right  hand  in  might  he  stands, 
And  guards  the  victim,  doom'd  by  impious  bands. 

NOTES.— "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David.  It  is  as- 
cribed to  David  also  in  the  New  Testament,  (Acts  i.  16.)  where  some 
of  its  words  are  cited  as  prophetic  or  descriptive  of  the  doom  of 
Judas.  The  ancients  called  it  the  Iscariotic  Psalm  ;  and  St  Augustin 
remarks  upon  it  that  Judas  was  a  kind  of  representative  of  the  Jew- 
ish enemies  of  Christ ;  "  personam  quodam  modo  sustinet  inimico- 
rum  Christi  Judacorum."  Enar.  in  Psalmos.  This  is,  indeed,  the 
application  which  we  should  give  to  these  dreadful  denunciations,  re- 
garding them  as  expressive  of  the  fate  of  those  who  oppose,  with  ob- 
stinate hatred,  the  cause  and  mercies  of  God.  "I  see  no  inconven- 
ience," says  Mr.  Merrick,  "  in  supposing  an  inspired  writer,  at  the 
same  time  that  he  foretells  the  punishments  which  God  has  absolutely 
determined  to  inflict  on  any  particular  persons,  to  have  been  directed 
to  express  his  own  desire  (a  desire  which  it  was  his  duty  to  enter- 
tain) that  the  measures  which  God  sees  necessary  to  the  support  of 
his  laws  may  be  accomplished." 

Condemn  his  cause  in  judgment1  s  awful  time.  This  may,  however, 
be  spoken  of  human  judgment. 

And  let  his  pray'r  but  siccll  his  load  of  crime.  A  more  appalling 
curse  can  hardly  be  imagined.  It  can,  of  course,  be  understood  only 
of  the  prayer  of  the  hypocrite. 

And  let  another 's  hand  his  office  wield.  Thus,  it  is  translated  by  the 
Septuagint,  s^/cxottjjv,  which  accordingly  is  rendered,  in  the  English 
translation  of  the  Acts,  by  "  bishopric." 

Chas'd,  like  tlte  locust  from  the  rip'ning  grain.  I  have  supposed  this 
passage  to  refer  to  the  means  employed  by  men  to  drive  the  locusts 
away  from  their  fields.  But  Dr.  Shaw,  speaking  of  the  swarms  of 
locusts  which  he  saw  near  Algiers  in  1724  and  1725,  says,  "  when  the 
wind  blew  briskly,  bo  that  these  swarms  were  crowded  by  others,  we 
had  a  lively  idea  of  that  comparison  of  the  Psalmist  (Ps.  cix.  23.)  of 
being  tossed  up  and  down  as  the  locust." 


PSALM   CX. 

The  Lord  spake  to  my  Lord, 
11  Have  thou 

Thy  royal  seat 
On  my  right  hand,  till  I  shall  bow 

Thy  foes  beneath  thy  feet." 
18 


206  PSALM     CX. 

God  shall  thy  rod  of  strength 
Extend 

From  Sion's  hill; 
And  hostile  realms  afar  shall  bend, 
And  do  thy  sov'reign  will. 

Then,  when  the  dawn  shall  gild 
Thine  arms 

Of  conqu'ring  pow'r, 
Thine  own  shall  throng,  in  holy  charms, 
To  hail  the  radiant  hour. 

More  num'rous  and  more  bright 
Shall  earth 

Thine  offspring  yield, 
Than  lies  the  morning's  dewy  birth 

On  sparkling  wood  and  field. 

The  Lord,  who  cannot  change, 
Hath  sworn, 

11  To  thee  remain, 
As  by  Melchizedek  were  borne, 

Priesthood  and  kingly  reign." 

The  Lord  on  thy  right  hand, 
Shall  tread 

In  his  just  wrath, 
On  many  a  monarch's  impious  head, 
Along  his  victor  path. 

O'er  heaps  of  slain  he  goes, 
But  first 

Bows  lowly  down, 
At  the  poor  riv'let  slakes  his  thirst, 
Then  rises  to  his  crown. 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  David."  Our  Saviour  ox pressly  speaks 
of  David  as  its  author,  (Matt  xxii.  14.  Mark  xii.  96.  Luke  xx.  42.) 
and  it  is  repeatedly  Cited  by  hBB  and  his  apostles  as  prophetic  of  the 
exaltation  of  the  Bfeniafc.  (AeM  ii.  84.  Heb.  vi.  20.)  It  could 
hardly  have  had  any  secondary  application. 


PSALM     CXI.  207 

On  my  right  hand.  It  La  well  known  that  the  right  hand  or  right 
side  of  a  monarch  was  the  station  next  in  dignity  to  his  own.  Even 
companionship  in  empire  was  denoted  by  such  a  seat  upon  the  throne 
itself. 

God  shall  thy  rod  of  strength.  The  prophet  here  speaks,  and  de- 
clares that  the  sceptre  given  by  God  to  his  Son  should  be  extended 
from  Sion,  or  the  church,  and  that  its  signal  should  be  obeyed 
throughout  the  world. 

Thine  own  shall  throng,  in  Iwly  charms.  Thus  the  vast  and  holy  in- 
crease of  the  church  of  Christ  is  represented,  under  the  figure  of  a 
nation  gladly  welcoming  its  prince,  in  the  morning  of  his  reign. 

Than  lies  the  morning's  dewy  birth.     The  interpretation  of  this  very 
elliptical  passage  by  Bishop  Lowth  is  now  generally  adopted. 
u  Prae  utero  Auroraetibi  ros  prolis  tuae." 

"  More  numerous  than  the  dew  which  proceeds  from  the  womb  of 
the  morning,  shall  be  the  dew  of  thy  offspring."  The  sands  of  the 
sea  do  not  more  strikingly  express  an  innumerable  multitude,  than 
the  dew-drops ;  and  these,  at  the  same  time,  present  a  cheerfid  and 
joyous  image. 

As  by  Melchizcdck  icere  borne.  This  union  of  the  priestly  and  regal 
offices  was  the  peculiar  characteristic  of  the  Messiah,  of  whom  Mel- 
chizedek  was  so  signal  a  type. 

O'er  heaps  of  slain  he  goes.  The  same  triumph  is  here  attributed, 
with  little  distinction,  to  Christ  himself,  and  to  the  Lord,  who  is  ever 
at  his  right  hand  as  his  Defender.  This  verse  can  only  be  spoken  of 
the  Saviour.  The  figure  is  that  of  a  warrior,  pausing  to  refresh 
himself  at  a  brook,  from  the  toils  of  battle.  But  the  stream  which  is 
figured  is  the  dark  stream  of  death,  which  our  Lord  tasted  before 
his  final  triumph,  and  which  was  even  a  relief  to  him  after  his  strong 
conflict. 


PSALM   CXI. 

PRAISE    YE    THE    LORD  ! 

All  my  poor  pow'rs,  and  all  my  heart, 
In  his  dear  praise  shall  bear  their  part ; 
Bear  well  their  part  where  saints  retreat, 
And  well  where  thronging  thousands  meet. 

Creatiox  wears  his  glorious  name, 
And  wondrous  deeds  his  might  proclaim : 
Delightful  search  of  faithful  love, 
To  mark  that  sov'reign  hand  above  ! 


208  PSALM     CXI. 

Excelling  far  our  praises1  pow'r, 
His  works  in  strength  and  glory  tow'r ; 
Firm,  while  the  ages  speed  their  way, 
His  justice  holds  its  endless  way. 

Good  is  the  Lord  :  his  deeds  of  grace 
Shall  sweet  remembrance  joy  to  trace  : 
He  bends  on  man  a  pitying  eye, 
And  loves  to  cast  his  vengeance  by- 

In  famine's  hour  of  wild  complaints, 
With  plenteous  bread  he  cheer' d  his  saints  : 
Kind  was  his  cov'nant  thus  of  old, 
And  still  its  changeless  truth  is  told. 

Led  on  their  march  by  heav'nly  light, 
His  people  saw  his  works  of  might : 
Mid  heathen  homes,  their  victory's  spoil, 
He  gave  them  rest  from  years  of  toil. 

No  deed  unjust  his  throne  profanes, 
No  promise  false  his  glory  stains  ; 
On  truth's  firm  rock,  on  judgment  sure, 
His  wise  commandments  shall  endure. 

Pillars  of  earth,  their  laws  abide, 
Amidst  the  ages'  dashing  tide, 
Rest  on  their  pure,  eternal  base, 
And  rise  and  tow'r  in  holy  grace. 

Salvation  to  his  own  he  gave, 
A  ransom  for  the  letter' d  slave  ; 
Then  iix'd  his  cov'nant'a  sacred  frame: 
How  bless'd,  how  holy  is  his  name  ! 

I  cward  the  path  of  knowledge  tends, 
But  lir^t  from  God's  true  fear  ascends: 
Well  are  they  wise  who  seek  his  way$j 

And  endless  is  his  glorious  praise. 


PSALM     CXII.  209 

NOTES.— This  is  the  fourth  of  the  alphabetic  Psalms.  Its  gene- 
ral tone  reminds  us  of  the  later  ages  of  the  Jewish  church. 

Praise  ye  tfu  Lord  !  This  is  the  Hallelujah  of  the  Hebrews  ;  with 
which  ten  of  the  Psalms  commence,  and  five  are  concluded.  Bishop 
Sanderson  says  that  the  whole  book  of  Psalms  has  been  abridged 
into  two  words,  Hosanna  and  Hallelujah ;  or,  supplication  and 
praise. 

But  first  from  Gods  true  fear  ascends.  So  the  Book  of  Ecclesiastes, 
(xii.  13.) 

"  Let  us  hear  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter, 
Fear  God,  and  keep  his  commandments." 


PSALM   CXII. 


PRAISE    YE    THE    LORD  I 

All  blessings  rest,  in  rich  reward, 
On  his  pure  head,  who  loves  the  Lord, 
Bears  on  his  breast  a  righteous  fear, 
And  deems  the  law  his  joy  most  dear. 

Children  of  children  yet  shall  grace, 
Through  distant  years,  his  rising  race  : 
Death  bears  him  to  his  silent  rest, 
But  still  his  upright  seed  are  bless'd. 

Earth's  utmost  wealth  shall  deck  his  hearth, 
And  wealth  that  mocks  the  wealth  of  earth  : 
For  his  just  lot  is  giv'n  on  high, 
And  lasts  beyond  the  changing  sky. 

Glad  beams,  like  morn,  his  path  shall  crown, 
When  midnight's  shades  come  darkest  down  : 
His  bounteous  hands,  his  pitying  heart, 
Shall  find  from  mercy  mercy's  part. 

L\  days  of  need  the  just  befriends, 
And  gladly  gives,  and  largely  lends  : 
Kind  thoughts  the  upright  bosom  bears, 
And  wisdom  lightens  all  its  cares. 

18* 


210  PSALM     CXIII. 

Like  billows  on  the  changeless  rock, 
On  him  shall  troubles  pour  their  shock  : 
Memorials  bless'd  his  name  shall  hold, 
And  bosoms  dear  his  form  enfold. 

No  tidings  dread  shall  daunt  his  ear ; 
He  trusts  the  Lord,  and  cannot  fear  : 
On  God's  strong  love  his  breast  reclines, 
And  peace  within,  and  glory  shines. 

Pure  rests  he  thus  in  God's  repose, 
And  shall  not  shrink,  mid  stormy  foes  ; 
Rests,  till  his  eye  its  wish  shall  see, 
And  all  his  stormy  foes  shall  flee. 

Strewn  far  and  wide,  to  cheer  the  poor, 
His  righteous  wealth  shall  still  endure  ; 
Till  high  his  honour'd  head  shall  rise, 
When  earth's  dim  glory  fades  and  dies. 

Vainly  the  sinner,  bound  beneath, 
Shall  gaze  from  far,  and  gnash  his  teeth  ; 
While  all  his  impious  dreams  decay, 
And  hope  and  pride  melt  all  away. 

NOTES.— This  is  the  fifth  of  the  alphabetic  Psalms.  Its  author  is 
unknown,  and  its  purport  is  general. 

Earth's  utmost  wealth  shall  deck  his  hearth.  The  promises  of  the  old 
covenant  unfolded  temporal  blessings  and  rewards,  more  distinctly . 
and  the  eternal,  more  dimly.  In  the  new  covenant,  the  latter  almost 
entirely  fill  up  the  view;  but  the  former  are  not  withheld. 


PSALM   CXIII. 

niAisE  the  lord  ! 

Praise  him  with  a  loud  accord, 
Praise  him,  servants  of  the  Lord! 
Praise  him  with  an  endless  fame  : 

Bless'd  forever  be  his  name  ! 


PSALM     CXI  V.  Hl\ 

Blcss'd,  while  yet  the  golden  sun 
Days  and  years  his  course  shall  run  ; 
From  the  Eastern  dawning  bless'd. 
To  the  chambers  of  the  West ! 

Far  above  the  earth  and  sky, 
Reigns  the  glorious  Lord  on  high  : 
Who  so  high  shall  make  abode  ? 
Who  is  like  the  Lord  our  God  ? 

Yet  he  bows  to  see  in  love 
Earth  below  and  heav'n  above  ; 
Lifting  sorrow  from  the  dust, 
Lifting  high  the  humbled  just. 

Such  he  bids  with  princes  stand, 
With  the  princes  of  their  land  ; 
Bids  the  barren  mother's  hearth 
Rim*  with  childhood's  son^  of  mirth. 
Praise  the  Lord  ! 

NOTES. — This  Psalm  and  the  five  following  compose  what  La 
called  "  the  great  Hallel ;"  that  is,  the  song  of  praise,  wThich  was  sung 
at  festivals,  especially  at  the  passover.  The  first  two  of  the  six  were 
sung  before  the  paschal  meal  itself;  the  last  four,  after  it. 

King  icith  childhood's  song  of  mirth.  This  apparently  abrupt  con- 
clusion is,  notwithstanding,  very  lyrical  and  beautiful.  The  blessing 
of  children  was,  indeed,  regarded  by  the  Hebrews  as  amongst  the 
highest  of  temporal  favours,  and  might  well  close  the  recital  of  the 
divine  mercies. 


PSALM   CXIV. 

When  forth  from  Egypt's  trembling  strand 

The  tribes  of  Israel  sped, 
And  Jacob  in  the  stranger's  land 

Departing  banners  spread ; 

Then  One,  amidst  their  thick  array, 
His  kingly  dwelling  made, 


'212  PSALM     CXI  V. 

And  all  along  the  desert  way 

Their  guiding  sceptre  sway'd. 

The  sea  beheld,  and  smit  with  dread. 

RolFd  all  its  billows  back  ; 
And  Jordan,  through  bis  deepest  bed. 

Reveal' d  their  destin'd  track. 

Like  startled  leaders  of  the  flock, 

The  ancient  mountains  reel'd, 
And  shook  the  hills  their  crests  of  rock, 

Like  lambs  that  sport  afield. 

What  ail'd  thee,  O  thou  mighty  sea, 
And  roll'd  thy  waves  in  dread  ? 

What  bade  thy  tide,  O  Jordan,  flee, 
And  bare  its  deepest  bed  ? 

Why  reel'd  the  mountains  with  dismay, 

Like  leaders  of  the  flock  ? 
Why  shook  the  hills,  like  lambs  at  play, 

Their  ancient  crests  of  rock  f 

O  earth,  before  the  Lord,  the  God 

Of  Jacob,  tremble  still; 
Who  makes  the  waste  a  water' d  sod, 

The  flint  a  gushing  rill. 

NOTES. — It  is  probable  that  this  Psalm  was  composed  expressly 
for  the  Passover. 

Then  One,  amidst  tlwir  thirl;  array.  The  absence  of  the  divine 
name  at  this  part  of  the  original  Psalm  gives  strength  to  the  whole, 
by  throwing  an  air  of  mystery  over  me  r;uise  of  these  miraculous 
events.  In  the  Hebrew,  neither  the  noun  nor  the  pronoun  need  be 
expressed  i  and  In  me  translation  no  better  way  of  preserving  this 

feature  of  the  Psalm  has  occurred,  than  this  use  of  the  indefinite  de- 
signation. 

Tlie  ancient  mountains  rcil'd.  Sinai  and  Iloreb  may  be  particular- 
ly the  subject!  of  this  allu-ion. 

0  earth,  hi  fan  the  Lard,  the  dad.  This  indirect  answer  is  peculiarly 
grand  :  and  the  whole  Psalm  must  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  noblest 
specimens  of  the  Hebrew  poetry  . 


PSALM     CXV.  213 


PSALM   CXV. 


Not  unto  us,  O  Lord  of  hosts, 

Not  unto  us,  be  praise  : 
But  in  th}r  name  we  make  our  boasts, 
And  tell  thy  truth  through  all  our  coasts, 

And  thy  memorial  raise. 

Why  should  the  impious  heathen  cry, 

"  Where  hides  their  God  and  Lord  ?" 
Our  God  is  in  the  heav'ns  on  high, 
And  all  that  live  in  earth  and  sky 
Fulfil  his  will  and  word. 

Their  idol  gods  are  gods  of  gold  ; 

Or  silver,  fashion' d  fair : 
From  human  hands  they  took  their  mould  ; 
Man  gave  them  silent  lips  and  cold, 

That  mock  their  vot'ry's  pray'r  ; 

Man  gave  them  eyes  that  naught  can  view, 
And  ears,  that  naught  can  hear  ; 

And  hands  that  no  kind  deed  can  do, 

And  feet  that  ne'er  a  foe  pursue, 
Or  flee  a  danger  near  ; 

Man  gave  a  nose  that  naught  can  smell, 

A  mouth  that  naught  can  say  : 
And  those  who  loud  their  praises  tell, 
And  trust  the  gods  they  fram'd  so  well, 
Are  senseless,  e'en  as  they. 

O  Israel,  trust  the  Lord  your  Shield, 

O  house  of  Aaron  just ; 
Still  trust  the  strength  his  arm  shall  yield, 
And  trust  the  buckler  he  shall  wield  ; 

O  all  that  fear  him,  trust ! 


214  PSALM     CXV. 

The  Lord  our  pnth  shall  onward  trace, 

And  give  our  hands  success  ; 
Shall  bless  the  men  of  Israel's  race, 
Shall  bless  the  heirs  of  Aaron's  grace, 

Shall  all  that  fear  him  bless. 

Yea,  he  shall  bless,  and  shall  not  cease, 

The  high  and  humble  all : 
On  you  and  yours,  with  large  increase, 
Shall  blessings,  giv'n  in  love  and  peace, 

From  heav'n's  high  Monarch  fall. 

He  made  the  heav'n's  resplendent  height ; 

He  gave  the  earth  its  span  : 
In  heav'n  he  fix'd  his  dwelling  bright, 
Beyond  yon  arch  of  golden  light, 

And  earth  he  gave  to  man. 

Not  from  the  graves'  descending  gate 

Shall  songs  thy  praise  record  : 
But  still  on  thee  our  hymns  shall  wait, 
While  thou  shalt  stretch  our  being's  date  : 

Oh,  praise  the  sov'reign  Lord  ! 

NOTES — This  Psaim  was  probably  composed  at  some  late  period 
of  the  Jewish  history.  In  the  Septuagint,  the  Vulgate,  and  some 
manuscripts,  it  is  connected  with  the  preceding  as  a  part  of  the  same 
Psalm ;  but  the  diversity  of  the  two,  and  the  completeness  of  each, 
forbid  such  an  arrangement. 

The  heathen  gods  are  gods  of  gold.  The  strain  of  derision  in  winch 
the  prophets  sometimes  expose  the  folly  of  idolatry,  displays  most 
strikingly  the  immense  superiority  of  the  privileges  of  tho  Jews,  and 
of  all  who  knew  the  one  true  God,  over  the  widest  of  heathen  nations. 
Degrading  as  was  worship  like  this,  yet  human  nature,  almost  uni- 
versally, invented  or  adopted  it  :  nor  can  we  doubt  that  the  mass  of 
idolaters  have  actually  ascribed  to  the  image  itself  the  powers  of 

Defy. 


PSALM     CXVI.  215 


PSALM   CXVI. 


I  love  the  Lord  of  love, 
Because  he  deign'd  to  hear, 

And  from  his  holy  seat  above 
Bow'd  e'en  to  me  his  ear. 

Therefore,  through  all  my  days, 
My  voice  shall  mount  on  high, 

For  mercies  past  shall  pour  its  praise, 
For  future  mercies  ciy. 

The  snares  of  death  were  round, 

The  terrors  of  the  grave  ; 
The  anguish  of  strong  fear  I  found, 

And  none  was  there  to  save. 

Then  to  the  Lord  arose 

My  voice  of  trusting  pray'r  : 

II  Lord,  from  the  midst  of  thronging  woes 
My  rescued  spirit  bear." 

Kind  is  the  Lord,  and  just ; 

The  Lord  our  God  is  good  : 
My  sorrow  bow'd  me  to  the  dust, 

But  near  my  Saviour  stood. 

Return,  then,  O  my  soul, 

To  thy  delightful  rest ; 
For  well  the  Lord's  most  kind  control 

Has  all  thy  progress  bless'd. 

For  thou,  O  God,  hast  kept 

My  spirit  from  the  dead  : 
No  bitter  tear  mine  eye  has  wept, 

Normiss'd  my  foot  its  tread. 

So,  in  the  living's  land 
I  walk  before  the  Lord, 


21G  PSALM     CXVI. 

And  as  I  trusted  in  his  hand, 
I  tell  that  trust's  reward. 

For  when,  in  flight  and  pain, 

Exclaim'd  my  heart  dismay'd, 
11  All  mortal  men  are  false  and  vain," 

Then  dawn'd  immortal  aid. 

What  off' ring  shall  I  bring, 

What  grateful  tribute  raise, 
To  tell  the  goodness  of  my  King, 

That  guided  all  my  ways  ? 

I  take  the  chalice  deep, 

And  call  my  Saviour's  name  ; 
My  vowts  amidst  his  people  keep, 

And  all  his  love  proclaim. 

Oh,  precious  in  his  eye 

His  saints'  expiring  breath  : 
And  dear,  too  dear  for  earth  to  buy, 

The  purchase  of  their  death. 

0  Lord,  from  bondage  freed, 
Thy  servant,  low  I  bow  ; 

Thy  servant,  and  thy  handmaid's  seed, 
And  thine  by  ransom  now. 

1  bring  my  thankful  lay, 

And  call  my  Saviour's  name, 
My  vows  amidst  his  people  pay, 
And  all  his  love  proclaim  ; 

Within  the  gates  that  gem 

His  temple's  holy  place  ; 
Within  thy  midst,  Jerusalem  ! 

Praise  ye  the  Lord  of  grace  ! 

NOTES. — This  h  m  Pfahn  of  thanksgiving  for  individual  blcaaiufa ; 
.and  David  waa  very  probably  its  author.  It  ■  twice  cited  in  the  New 
Testament  The  Beptuagmt  divides  it  into  two  Psalms ;  but  obvi- 
ously without  reason. 


PSALM     CXVIII.  217 

Kind  is  the  Lord,  and  just.  This  and  the  following  verse  were 
"the  Cygnean  Caution"  of  the  excellent  Doctor  Thomas  Jackson; 
with  which  he  surrendered  up  his  spirit. 

/  take  the  chalice  deep.  Afler  a  sacrifice  of  thank-offering,  a  cup 
would  of  course  be  drunk  at  the  festal  meal  which  followed  ;  and  this 
is  a  beautiful  figure  to  express  the  gratitude  of  the  heart. 

I  bring  my  thankful  lay.  The  correspondence  between  this  verse 
and  that  cited  in  the  preceding  note,  will  not  pass  unobserved. 


PSALM   CXVIL 

Oh,  praise  the  Lord,  ye  lands  of  earth, 
And  sing,  ye  tribes  of  mortal  birth  ; 
Where'er  the  step  of  man  is  found, 
Where'er  a  voice  can  lift  the  sound. 

For  o'er  us,  on  us,  is  his  love  ; 

It  reigns  below,  it  dwells  above  : 

And  endless  ages  shall  record 

His  endless  truth  ;  oh,  praise  the  Lord  ! 

NOTES. — This  brief  Psalm  is  little  more  than  a  chorus  in  connex- 
ion with  others.  Rosenmueller  conjectures  that  it  was  sung,  either  at 
the  commencement  of  the  sacred  exercises,  or,  like  our  doxologies, 
at  the  close. 

Oh,  praise  the  Lord,  ye  lands  of  earth.  In  the  Epistle  to  the  Ro- 
mans (xv.  11.)  this  verse  is  cited,  with  other  passages,  as  a  confirma- 
tion of  the  call  of  the  Gentiles. 


PSALM    CXVIII. 

Oh,  praise  the  Lord,  whose  bounteous  sky 

Of  love  is  ne'er  o'ercast : 
Let  Israel  say  of  God  most  High, 

His  love  is  firm  and  fast  : 

19 


'218  PSALM     CXVIII. 

Let  Aaron's  house  adoring  cry, 

His  love  shall  ne'er  be  past : 
Let  all  that  fear  the  Lord  reply, 

His  love  shall  always  last. 

From  the  dark  portals  of  despair, 

I  call'd,  O  Lord,  on  thee  : 
The  Lord  vouchsafed  to  hear  my  pray'r, 

And  made  my  footstep  free. 

The  Lord  is  mine  ;  and  mortal  bands 

Shall  ne'er  my  soul  appal : 
The  Lord  with  my  defenders  stands, 

I  see  my  foemen  fall. 

Far  better  to  the  Lord  to  cling, 

Than  lean  on  mortal  dust : 
Far  better  own  the  Lord  our  King, 

Than  kingly  crowns  to  trust. 

Around  my  ambush'd  path  they  came, 

All  nations  in  their  might  ; 
But  in  the  Lord's  triumphant  name 

I  drove  them  in  the  fight. 

On  ev'ry  side  their  armies  came, 

They  rush'd  on  ev'ry  side  ; 
But  in  the  Lord's  triumphant  name 

I  trod  their  armies  wide. 

Like  countless  bees,  in  swarms  they  came, 
Like  blazing  thorns  they  pass'd  ; 

For  in  the  Lord's  triumphant  name 
I  swrept  them  to  the  blast. 

Sore,  fierce  and  deadly  was  thy  stroke, 

O  thou  vindictive  arm  ! 
But  God's  strong  shield  its  fury  broke, 

AndturnM  th'  impending  harm. 


PSALM     CXVIII.  219 

The  Lord,  the  Saviour  of  my  trust, 

Is  still  my  strength  and  song  : 
And  still  the  dwellings  of  the  just 

The  voice  of  joy  prolong. 

The  Lord's  right  hand  does  wondrous  deeds  ; 

The  Lord's  right  hand  is  high ; 
The  Lord's  right  hand  the  vict'ry  speeds  ; 

I  am  not  doom'd  to  die. 

I  live,  to  speak  the  might  of  God, 

While  he  upholds  my  breath  : 
He  sent  on  me  the  chast'ning  rod, 

But  not  the  sword  of  death. 

Ope  wide  the  gates,  the  holy  gates, 
Where  deigns  the  Lord  to  dwell ; 

That,  where  the  just  assembly  waits, 
My  lips  his  praise  may  tell. 

I  praise  the  Lord,  who  heard  my  voice, 

And  my  deliv'rance  sped  : 
The  stone  that  won  no  builder's  choice 

Is  now  the  corner's  head. 

This  is  the  work  the  Lord  hath  done  ; 

With  wond' ring  joy  we  gaze  : 
This  is  the  Lord's  own  morning  sun  ; 

We  triumph  in  its  blaze. 

Oh,  hear  us,  Lord,  and  save  us  still ; 

Oh,  hear  us,  Lord,  and  bless  ; 
While  on  his  head  who  speaks  thy  will 

We  ask  thy  rich  success. 

Forth  from  the  Lord's  own  temple  walls 

We  lift  the  glad  acclaim  ; 
"Bless'd  be  his  work,  who  comes  and  calls 

In  God's  most  holy  name  !" 


220  PSALM     CXIX. 

The  Lord  is  God  :  as  radiant  morn, 

On  us  his  light  hath  shin'd  : 
Then,  fast  around  the  altar's  horn, 

The  spotless  victim  bind. 

Thou  art  my  God  ;  thou  art  my  King  : 

My  thanks  shall  ne'er  be  past : 
Oh,  come,  the  Lord's  high  mercies  sing, 

Whose  love  shall  always  last. 

NOTES. — This  Psalm  is  commonly  ascribed  to  David  ;  although 
it  is  several  times  quoted  in  the  New  Testament,  (Matt.  xxi.  42. 
Mark  xii.  10.  Luke  xx.  17.  Acts  iv.  11.  Heb.  xiii.  6.  1  Pet.  ii. 
G,  7.)  without  his  name.  It  was  probably  sung  on  some  public  occa- 
sion of  triumph  and  festivity.  But  it  was  certainly  interpreted  of  the 
Messiah  by  the  ancient  Jews,  as  well  as  since  by  the  whole  Christian 
Church  ;  and  our  Saviour  applied  it  to  himself. 

His  love  is  firm  and  fast.  The  passages  which  have  a  verbal  cor- 
respondence with  one  another  have  been,  as  far  as  might  be,  preserv- 
ed in  the  same  form. 

Like  blazing  tlwrns  they  passed.  Although  the  thorns  blaze  up  at 
once,  with  a  loud  noise,  yet  the  flame  soon  dies,  and  hardly  leaves  a 
trace.     This  is  the  point  of  comparison. 

The  stone  that  won  no  builder's  choice.  Of  whom  could  this  be  so 
truly  spoken  as  ofthe  crucified  and  risen  Saviour  .' 

Blessed  be  his  work,  who  comes  and  calls.  With  this  cry  the  people 
welcomed  our  Lord,  when  he  entered  Jerusalem  to  die.  They  bor- 
rowed it  from  this  Psalm. 

Then,  fast  around  the  altar's  horn.  The  victim  should  be  offered  as 
a  thank-offering.  It  was  to  be  bound  with  cords  for  the  sacrifice,  but 
whether  to  the  horns  ofthe  altar,  or  only  near  them,  may  be  doubted. 
The  horns  were  a  kind  of  spires,  covered  with  brass,  and  rising  from 
each  corner  of  the  altar.  Lightfoot  says  that  their  tops  were  seven 
cubits  from  the  earth. 


PSALM   CXIX. 


Along  the  pure  and  perfect  way, 
How  bless'd  are  they  who  tread  ; 

Whose  guarded  feel  can  never  stray, 
By  God's  commandments  led ! 


PSALM     CXIX.  221 

All  blessings  crown  the  stedfast  heart, 

That  seeks  the  living  Lord, 
From  his  dear  paths  will  ne'er  depart, 

Nor  touch  the  deed  abhorr'd. 

As  thou  our  souls  hast  charg'd  and  bound 

Thy  precepts  to  fulfil, 
So,  would  that  all  my  ways  were  found 

Where  points  thy  holy  will ! 

Asham'd  no  more,  its  upright  praise 

My  soul  shall  lift  to  thee, 
When  all  thy  laws,  in  all  my  ways, 

My  guiding  word  shall  be. 

An  holy  joy  my  breast  shall  swell, 

When  none  is  e'er  forgot : 
I  love  thy  bless'd  commandments  well ; 

O  Lord,  forsake  me  not ! 

By  what  strong  aid  shall  e'er  a  youth 

Preserve  his  footsteps  pure  ? 
By  following  still  thy  word  of  truth 

With  stedfast  eye  and  sure. 

But  one  chief  wish  my  bosom  feels, 

From  thee  to  stray  no  more  : 
But  one  rich  gain  my  heart  conceals, 

Thy  word's  protecting  store. 

Bless'd  be  thy  name,  O  Lord  my  God  ! 

To  me  thy  laws  unfold  : 
And  loud  my  lips  shall  tell  abroad 

Whate'er  thy  lips  have  told. 

Beyond  the  wealth  of  golden  mines, 

Thy  precepts  are  my  joy  : 
The  way  where  thy  commandment  shines 

Shall  all  my  cares  employ. 

19* 


222  PSALM     CXIX. 

Bright  beams  are  there,  with  gladness  bright, 

And  heav'nly  raptures  flow  : 
I  will  not  lose  the  rich  delight 

Which  thy  pure  words  bestow. 

Cheer  thou  thy  servant's  toil,  O  Lord, 

And  bless'd  requital  give  ; 
That,  strengthen' d  by  thy  large  reward, 

My  heart  may  hear  and  live. 

Chase  thou  mine  eyes'  dark  mist  away  : 
Thy  wond'rous  depths  unfold  ; 

Nor,  while  a  stranger  here  I  stray, 
Thy  guiding  laws  withhold. 

Constant  as  life's  uncheck'd  decline, 

To  thy  dear  word  I  flee ; 
And  still  my  thirsty  heart  must  pine, 

With  longing,  Lord,  for  thee. 

Curs'd  is  the  bold  transgressor's  path, 

But  I  thy  laws  have  kept : 
Oh,  turn  from  me  the  shame  and  wrath 

That  o'er  the  proud  have  swept. 

Chiefs  in  their  seat  against  me  spake, 

But  still  thy  servant's  mind 
For  wiser  guides  thy  laws  shall  take, 

And  there  its  rapture  find. 

Down  to  the  dust  my  spirit  cleaves  ; 

Oh,  let  thy  spirit  move  : 
And  as  my  heart  thy  trutli  believes, 

So  now  that  trutli  approve. 

Declaring  all  thy  precepts'  praise, 
Thou  beard's!  my  faithful  song : 

Oh,  teach  me  more  thy  works  and  ways, 

And  still  my  strain  prolong. 


PSALM    cxix.  223 

Drooping  and  faint,  my  spirit  sinks  ; 

Oh,  let  thy  spirit  move  ; 
As  on  thy  truth  thy  servant  thinks, 

So  now  that  truth  approve. 

Draw,  draw  me  from  the  path  of  lies, 

And  give  thy  law  of  grace  : 
There,  there  shall  rest  my  joyful  eyes, 

And  love  thy  steps  to  trace. 

Delighted  to  thy  word  I  cling  ; 

Oh,  let  not  shame  be  mine  ; 
But  spread  my  spirit's  chainless  wing, 

To  mount  thy  paths  divine. 

Enlighten,  Lord,  mine  eyes  to  learn, 

That  I  may  ne'er  depart, 
But  keep  the  precepts  I  discern, 

And  keep  with  all  my  heart. 

Establish  there  my  cheerful  choice, 

Where  all  thy  truth  is  told  ; 
And  let  me  more  in  thee  rejoice, 

Than  e'er  in  hoards  of  gold. 

Engage  mine  eyes,  no  more  to  stray j 

By  snares  of  folly  led  ; 
And  quicken  on  thy  righteous  wray 

My  firm  and  cheerful  tread. 

E'en  as  thy  fear  thy  servant  owns, 

So  let  thy  truth  be  clear  ; 
And  turn  the  scorner's  mocking  tones 

That  pour  a  baser  fear. 

Esteeming  all  thy  judgments  just, 

Lo,  how  for  each  I  long  ! 
Oh,  warm  with  life  this  sinful  dust, 

And  make  my  virtue  strong. 


224  PSALM     CXIX. 

Free  let  thy  bounteous  mercy,  Lord, 

To  me  its  treasures  ope  ; 
Free,  the  salvation  of  thy  word, 

Rewarding  all  my  hope. 

Fill  thou  my  lips  with  answers  bold, 
When  scorners  would  dismay : 

My  stedfast  heart  thy  truth  shall  hold  ; 
Take  not  that  truth  away. 

For  on  thy  laws,  that  cannot  change, 

Forever  hangs  my  fear ; 
And  free  and  far  my  step  may  range, 

Beneath  thy  precepts  clear. 

Fearless  and  not  asham'd  I  stand, 
Where  monarchs  hold  their  seat ; 

And  witness  to  thy  dread  command, 
And  speak  thy  mercies  sweet. 

Folding  thy  law  within  my  arms, 

I  rise  in  thought  above  ; 
And,  musing  on  its  sacred  charms, 

My  heart  o'erflows  with  love. 

Give,  Lord,  thy  servant's  fainting  breast 
In  thy  remembrance  place  ; 

As  thou  hast  made  my  hope  to  rest 
On  thine  own  word  of  grace. 

Glad  comfort  thence  my  soul  sustains, 
Though  dark'ning  woes  be  near; 

And  life  and  joy  run  through  my  veins, 
When  once  thy  voice  I  hear. 

Great  was  the  scorn  of  mockers  bold, 
But  ne'er  from  thee  I  turn'd ; 

I  thou glit;  on  all  thy  deeds  of  old, 
And  heav'nly  solace  learn'd. 


PSALM     CXIX.  225 

Grief  burns  my  heart  for  them  that  roam 

To  paths  of  fearful  wrong  : 
But  here,  amidst  my  pilgrim  home, 

Thy  precepts  are  my  song. 

Good  thoughts  of  these,  in  silent  night, 

Have  hover' d  where  I  slept ; 
And  this  was  still  my  sure  delight, 

That  I  thy  cov'nant  kept. 

Hope  of  my  soul,  her  endless  part, 

0  Lord  my  God,  art  thou  ! 

Before  thy  throne,  with  prostrate  heart, 

1  make  my  pray'r  and  vow. 

Have  mercy,  as  thy  word  is  true, 

For  still,  thy  ways  to  tread, 
With  vig'rous  step  and  eager  view, 

My  cheerful  soul  has  sped. 

Hot  was  the  rage  of  murd'rous  bands 

That  round  my  footsteps  hung ; 
But  still  to  thy  most  just  commands 

My  stedfast  mem'ry  clung. 

High  from  my  midnight  couch  shall  soar 

The  solemn  voice  of  praise  ; 
And  sleep  shall  flee  while  I  adore 

Thy  righteous  words  and  ways. 

His  friend  am  I  who  dearest  holds 

Thy  fear  and  sacred  cause  : 
O  Lord,  whose  love  all  earth  enfolds, 

Oh,  teach  me  thou  thy  laws. 

In  kindness  o'er  thy  servant's  head, 

Thy  promise,  Lord,  is  true  : 
Oh,  let  thy  light  and  love  be  shed 

On  my  believing  view. 


226  PSALM     CXIX. 

I  wander' d  far  in  thoughtless  da}~s, 

Ere  yet  thy  chast'nings  fell : 
But  now  I  keep  thy  sacred  ways, 

And  love  thy  statutes  well. 

Ill  paths  were  mine  ;  but  good  art  thou, 

And  good  are  all  thy  deeds  : 
Oh,  teach  me  ev'ry  precept  now, 

That  tow'rd  thy  presence  leads. 

Impious  and  false,  with  lux'ry  swell'd, 
The  proud  my  purpose  wrest : 

But  fast  thy  cov'nant  I  have  held, 
With  true  and  joyful  breast. 

It  was  but  good,  that,  taught  to  weep, 

I  learn'd  thy  law  and  fear, 
Than  gold's  or  silver's  richest  heap 

Ten  thousand  times  more  dear. 

Join'd  and  accomplish'd  by  thy  hands, 

My  frame  and  spirit  live  : 
Then,  teach  me,  Lord,  thy  good  commands, 

And  sacred  wisdom  give. 

Joy  on  the  upright  brow  shall  shine 

Of  them  that  fear  thy  name  ; 
For  their  strong  hope  was  fix'd  with  mine, 

And  they  with  me  o'ercame. 

Just  are  thy  judgments,  Lord,  on  me, 
And  true  thy  chast'ning  stroke  ; 

But  let  me  still  thy  comforts  see, 
As  thy  kind  promise  spoke. 

Judge  me  in  mercy  for  my  life, 

While  o'er  thy  laws  I  bend  ; 
And  on  the  proud  man's  causeless  strife 

Let  scorn  and  woe  descend. 


PSALM     CXIX.  227 

Journeying  with  me  let  those  be  found, 
Who  know  and  dread  thy  name  ; 

And  in  thy  statutes,  firm  and  sound, 
Preserve  my  heart  from  shame. 

Kindled  with  hope,  yet  faint  for  fear, 

With  longing,  failing  eyes, 
11  When  shall  thy  comforts,  Lord,  appear?" 

My  drooping  spirit  cries. 

Kept  by  the  trust  thy  word  hath  woke, 

My  step  no  more  declines, 
Though,  like  the  shriv'lling  flask  in  smoke, 

My  with' ring  bosom  pines. 

Known  to  my  God  are  all  my  days  ; 

How  many,  Lord,  are  all  ? 
And  wrhen,  on  mine  oppressor's  ways 

Shall  thy  dread  judgment  fall  ? 

Keen  is  the  blow,  and  deep  the  snare 
Which  they  who  scorn  thy  laws 

Against  thy  servant,  Lord,  prepare  : 
Shield  thou  his  righteous  cause ! 

Kindly  my  lamp  of  life  relume, 

That  I  may  keep  thy  will : 
Almost  my  foes  that  life  consume, 

But  I  will  love  thee  still. 

Loxa  as  the  rolling  years  shall  glide, 

Or  heav'n  its  arch  uphold, 
Thy  promise,  Lord,  shall  firm  abide, 

Thy  truth  shall  still  be  told. 

Low  in  the  depths  thy  sovereign  hand 
Earth's  strong  foundations  laid  ; 

And  all  things  serve  at  thy  command, 
As  all  by  thee  were  made. 


228  PSALM      CXIX. 

Light,  life  and  joy  thy  precepts  gave, 

Thy  precepts  unforgot : 
Else  deep  within  the  gloomy  grave 

Had  clos'd  my  sorrowing  lot. 

Lord,  I  am  thine  :  oh,  save  me  yet, 

As  I  thy  truth  have  sought, 
As,  while  the  proud  my  path  beset, 

On  thee  alone  I  thought. 

Lo,  I  have  seen  the  utmost  end 

Of  all  things  perfect  here  : 
But  thy  commands  so  broad  extend, 

No  thought  can  bound  their  sphere. 

My  God,  how  dear  within  my  heart 

Thy  priceless  laws  abide  ! 
The  livelong  day  they  ne'er  depart, 

Forever  at  my  side. 

More  wise,  while  these  my  thoughts  engage, 

Than  all  my  godless  foes ; 
More  wise  than  many  an  ancient  sage, 

Whose  guidance  once  I  chose  ; 

Musing  on  these  with  still  delight, 

And  clinging  stedfast  there, 
I  turn  my  feet,  and  hide  my  sight, 

From  each  bewild'ring  snare. 

Matur'd  by  thy  kind  words  and  wise 

In  thy  true  judgments'  ways, 
To  thee,  to  thee,  my  spirit  flies, 

From  thee  no  more  she  strays. 

Most  sweet  the  words  that  teach  thy  will, 

Of  all  I  taste  most  sweet! 
More  sweet  than  honey'd  hives  distil, 

They  guard  my  tempted  feet. 


PSALM     CXIX.  229 

Night  closes  round  my  pathway  lone, 

And  darkness  dims  my  sight ; 
But  there  thy  word's  fair  beams  are  thrown, 

Thy  lamp  of  living  light. 

Not  from  the  service  I  have  sworn 

Shall  e'er  my  footstep  move  : 
Oh,  give  me  life  while  here  I  mourn  ; 

Oh,  yet  thy  truth  approve. 

No  heartless  song  my  lips  shall  lift, 

To  tell  my  Maker's  praise  : 
Then  take,  O  Lord,  their  willing  gift, 

And  teach  me  all  thy  ways. 

New  perils  throng,  new  foes  ensnare, 

But  I  thy  truth  obey  : 
My  life  within  my  hand  I  bear, 

But  never  more  shall  stray. 

Nearest  the  fountains  of  my  heart, 

Thy  holy  statutes  shine  ; 
I  choose  them  for  mine  endless  part, 

And  joy  to  deem  them  mine. 

Oh,  how  I  hate  the  idle  dreams 

Of  men  that  love  deceit ! 
But  thy  dear  word's  unfading  beams 

To  me  are  always  sweet. 

O  Lord,  my  shield  and  refuge  strong, 

To  thee  my  trust  shall  cling ! 
Depart,  depart,  ye  guilty  throng, 

For  I  will  serve  my  King. 

On  me  thy  word  of  grace  perform; 

My  stedfast  hope  defend  ; 
That  still  unharm'd,  unsham'd  and  warm, 

Mine  eye  to  thee  may  tend. 

20 


230  PSALM     CXIX. 

O'erthrown  and  trod  beneath  my  feet, 

And  cast  like  dross  away, 
Are  earth's  proud  sons,  who  left  thy  seat, 

In  falsehood's  maze  to  stray. 

O'er  all  my  flesh  cold  terror  steals, 
Thy  judgments'  awful  fear  : 

But  still  what  thy  just  word  reveal- 
To  me,  O  Lord,  is  dear. 

Pure  are  the  deeds,  and  good,  and  just, 

That  still  my  hands  engage  : 
Then  leave  me  not,  O  Lord  my  trust, 

To  mine  oppressor's  rage. 

Pledg'd  be  thy  might,  to  ward  my  harm  ; 

Nor  let  the  proud  prevail ; 
For,  waiting  for  thy  word  and  arm, 

My  weary  eyelids  fail- 
Pour  on  my  head  thy  promis'd  grace, 

And  guide  in  wisdom's  way  : 
I  love,  O  Lord,  thy  servants'  place  ; 

Oh,  teach  me  to  obey. 

Prolong  no  more  the  ling'ring  time, 
Nor  judgment's  hand  withdraw  : 

For  now  the  bands,  whose  joy  is  crime, 
Annul  thy  sov'reign  law. 

Priz'd  more  than  gold,  than  gold  most  bright, 

I  guard  thy  words  within, 
Deem  all  my  God's  commandments  right, 

And  shun  the  paths  of  sin. 

Righteous  and  glorious  is  thy  word  ; 

My  soul  shall  clasp  it  still  : 
Like  dawning  morn,  its  beams  are  pour'd, 

To  light  the  humble  will. 


PSALM     CXIX.  231 

Rising  to  thee,  my  spirit  glows 

With  streams  of  sacred  tire  ; 
My  panting  lips  and  breast  unclose, 

And  pant  with  warm  desire. 

Reveal  on  me  the  wonted  grace 
That  crowns  the  righteous  head  : 

And  where  thy  word  the  path  shall  trace, 
Oh,  guide  my  peaceful  tread. 

Redeem  me  from  the  scourge  of  guilt, 
And  break  th'  oppressors'  bands  ; 

And  be  my  will  whate'er  thou  wilt, 
My  joy  thy  wise  commands. 

Rivers  of  waters,  from  mine  eyes, 

For  sinners'  woes  descend ; 
Oh,  let  thy  smile  of  light  arise, 

Till  all  my  sorrows  end. 

Sacred  and  true,  O  righteous  Lord, 

Thy  judgments  just  abide  ; 
And  all  thy  holy  words  record, 

Is  truth  most  sure  and  tried. 

Sad  that  my  foes  thy  precepts  spurn, 

My  zeal  consumes  my  breast ; 
But  tow'rd  those  spotless  words  I  turn, 

And  find  my  chosen  rest. 

Small  is  my  name,  and  men  of  pride 

Have  scorn'd  my  lowly  lot ; 
But  still  thy  word  was  all  my  guide, 

Thy  truth  was  ne'er  forgot. 

Still  are  thy  judgments  just  and  true, 

While  endless  ages  roll ; 
My  joy  when  clouds  o'erhung  my  view, 

And  anguish  found  my  soul. 


232  PSALM     CXIX. 

Sure  is  the  justice  thou  shalt  speak, 

While  endless  ages  fly  : 
Oh,  give  me  light,  thy  truth  to  seek, 

And  I  shall  never  die. 

To  thee  my  inmost  bosom  sigh'd, 
"  Oh,  hear  me,  Lord,  above  !" 

"  Oh,  save  me,"  at  thy  feet  I  cried, 
"  To  keep  the  laws  I  love." 

Thus,  hoping  in  thy  promise  kind, 

I  call  before  the  dawn  ; 
Thus  holy  musings  throng  my  mind, 

Ere  evening's  shades  be  drawn. 

Then,  Lord  of  love,  thou  good  and  just, 
Hear  thou  my  constant  voice  ; 

And  warm  with  life  my  drooping  trust, 
And  bid  my  hope  rejoice. 

They  come,  O  Lord,  who,  far  from  thee, 

Tread  all  the  paths  of  ill : 
And  near  they  draw,  to  thrust  at  me  ; 

But  thou  art  nearer  still ! 

True  are  thy  laws,  thy  promise  truth ; 

They  change  not,  nor  depart : 
I  know  them  from  my  utmost  youth, 

Eternal,  as  thou  art. 

Upox  my  griefs  vouchsafe  to  look, 

And  haste,  O  Lord,  to  save  ; 
For  ne'er  my  heart  the  rule  forsook, 

Which  thy  commandments  gave. 

Urge  thou  my  cause  with  conqu'ring  strife, 
When  lawless  foes  condemn  ; 

And  give  the  quick' ning  grace  and  life, 
That  ne'er  shall  dwell  with  them. 


PSALM     CXIX.  233 

Unnumber'd  are  thy  mercies,  Lord  ; 

Unnumber'd  are  my  foes  : 
Oh,  give  me  still  thy  quick' ning  word. 

As  I  thy  judgments  chose. 

Ungodly  deeds  my  sorrows  wake, 

While  on  their  guilt  I  gaze  : 
Oh,  give  me  life  for  love's  dear  sake, 

As  I  have  lov'd  thy  ways. 

Unchang'd  as  first  thy  word  was  pass'd, 

Its  quick'ning  truths  abide  ; 
And  firm  thy  judgments,  Lord,  shall  last, 

While  endless  ages  glide. 

Vainly  have  princes  on  my  tread 

With  causeless  hatred  hung  ; 
I  held  thy  laws  in  deeper  dread, 

And  there  rejoicing  clung. 

Vice,  with  its  charms  and  hidden  toils, 

Repels  my  loathing  sight : 
But  more  than  all  a  victor's  spoils, 

Thy  laws  are  my  delight. 

Varying  my  pray'r  with  varying  day, 

Sev'n  times  on  thee  I  call : 
For  peace  is  theirs,  who  love  thy  way, 

And  they  shall  never  fall. 

Veil'd  from  my  sight,  yet  always  near, 

Thy  succ'ring  arm  I  trust, 
And  walk  securely  in  thy  fear, 

And  keep  thy  cov'nant  just. 

Vig'rous  and  firm,  my  steps  advance, 

Where'er  thy  law  is  shown  ; 
For  well  to  thine  all-searching  glance 

My  loneliest  ways  are  known. 

20* 


234  PSALM     CXIX. 

Whene'er  I  call,  O  Lord,  give  ear, 

And  prove  thy  promise  true  : 
Whene'er  I  cry,  O  Saviour,  hear, 

And  all  thy  truth  renew. 

With  light  and  succour  crown  my  ways  ; 

And  teach  my  willing  heart : 
So  shall  my  lips  break  forth  in  praise, 

My  tongue  thy  words  impart. 

Whate'er  the  path  thy  laws  command, 

They  all  are  justice  still : 
Oh,  hold  me  by  thy  gracious  hand, 

As  I  would  choose  th}r  will. 

Waiting  and  longing  for  thy  might, 

I  joy  to  own  thy  laws  : 
Then  give  me  life  to  praise  aright ; 

And  shield  my  righteous  cause. 

Wide  from  thy  fold,  my  only  home, 

A  wand'ring  sheep,  I  flee  : 
Oh,  seek  me,  Lord,  where'er  I  roam, 

For  still  I  turn  to  thee. 

NOTES. — The  author  of  this  Psalm  is  unknown.  Its  origin  can 
only  be  conjectured ;  and  the  most  probable  conjecture  points  to  a 
tone  when  the  Canon  of  the  Old  Testament  was  almost  complete. 
In  the  Hebrew,  the  first  word  in  each  of  eight  successive  vet 
made  to  begin  with  the  same  letter  of  the  alphabet  ;  and  all  the  letters 
are  thus  placed  in  their  succession.  It  is  called  in  the  Mason  "the 
great  alphabet."  As  the  Psalm  has  hardly  any  other  order  in  the 
arrangement  of  the  thoughts  than  what  is  connected  with  this  alpha- 
betic succession,  it  is  necessary  for  the  sake  of  variety,  as  well  as  im- 
portant to  shew  the  exact  character  of  the  original,  that  bo  remarkable 
a  feature  should  be  copied  in  the  translation.  The  whole  Psalm 
consists  of  a  multitude  of  devout  and  delightful  sentiments,  fastened 
together  by  this  chain.  It  seems  toha\e  been  anciently  said  or  sung 
every  Lord's  day. 

By  what  strums  aid  shall  i  '<  r  a  youth.  The  youth  of  the  writer  may 
seem  to  be  intimated  m  thi^  passage  :  but  this  ifl  \  cry  uncertain  ;  since 
the  dangers  of  youth  are  ><>  frequently  contemplated  by  every 

benevolent    mind. 

Nor,  irhih  a  itrangtr  hen  I  stray.  Michaelis  remarks  the  elegance 
of  Uiis  comparison.     A  stranger  may  sutler  much  from  the  want  of 


PSALM     cxx.  235 

necessary  knowledge  of  the  things  around  him  ;  and  a  friend  who 
will  guide  and  cherish  him  is  an  inestimable  benefit.  Such  a  friend 
is  the  word  of  God. 

Just  arc  iky  judgments.  Lord,  on  me.  This  passage  wras  uttered  by 
the  Emperor  Maurice,  when  his  eight  children  were  slain  in  his 
sight,  immediately  before  his  own  murder. 

Tftough,  like  the  shriv'lling  flask  in  smoke.  It  is  well  known  that 
the  bottles  of  the  Orientals  were  made  of  skins ;  and  these  were 
probably  dried  by  the  fire,  before  they  were  filled.  The  figure,  how- 
ever, may  be  derived  from  the  fact  that  these  bottles,  when  they  con- 
tained wine,  were  often  exposed  to  the  smoke,  for  the  purpose  of 
improving  the  wine,  by  giving  it  a  taste  as  if  of  age. 

Lo,  I  hate  seen  thr  utmost  end.  These  were  amongst  the  dying 
words  of  Sir  Christopher  Hatton  ;  a  man  who  had  lived  in  courts  and 
high  places. 

My  life  within  my  hand  I  hear.  Grotius  remarks  that  this  mode  of 
expression  betokens  the  highest  dangers,  as  that  which  we  hold  in 
the  hand  can  so  easily  be  snatched  away. 


PSALM   CXX. 

From  the  dark  vale  of  care 

I  calPd  on  God  to  save  : 
The  Lord  vouchsaf 'd  to  hear  my  pray'r, 

And  answ'ring  succour  oave. 

Oh,  still  redeem  my  heart 

From  the  betrayer's  wile, 
The  tongue  that  plies  the  sland'rer's  art, 

The  lips  that  flow  with  guile. 

What  portion  shall  be  giv'n, 
False  tongue,  to  be  thy  doom  ? 

Sharp  arrows  by  the  mighty  driv'n, 
Hot  coals  of  burning  broom  ! 

Oh,  woe  is  me  to  roam 

O'er  Mesech's  barren  plain  ! 
To  find  a  wand'rer's  tented  home 

With  Kedar's  godless  train  ! 


23G  PSALM     CXXI. 

Long  must  my  spirit  wail 
Mid  them  that  love  alarms  : 

I  speak  of  peace,  but  peace  they  hate, 
And  clamour  loud  to  arms  ! 

NOTES. — "A  Song  of  the  ascension."  This  name  is  given  to 
this  and  the  fourteen  following  Psalms.  Its  meaning  has  been  the 
subject  of  very  various  opinions,  and  is  very  uncertain.  No  other 
idea  appears  more  probable,  than  that  which  supposes  them  to  have 
been  sung  on  the  way  to  Jerusalem,  by  the  pilgrims  at  the  seasons  of 
the  great  festivals,  and  to  have  received  their  name  from  this  ascent 
to  the  capital.     They  are  probably  of  late  origin. 

Hot  coals  of  burning  broom.  The  shrub  which  is  here  mentioned 
is  used  by  the  caravans  for  fuel.  St.  Jerome  says  that  its  coals  con- 
tinued to  burn  for  a  whole  year  under  the  ashes.  The  wood  of  a 
tree  common  in  Arabia,  called  Gadha,  has  a  similar  property.  Hence 
the  Arabic  proverb,  "  he  has  put  coals  of  Gadha  in  my  heart,"  for, 
"  he  causes  me  consuming  grief."  The  last  two  lines  of  tins  verse 
may  be  understood  in  the  original,  either  as  a  description  of  the  ca- 
lumnies of  the  false  tongue,  or  as  a  reply  to  the  question,  what  should 
be  its  reward.     This  ambiguity  is  preserved  in  the  translation. 

O'er  Mesech,s  barren  plain.  Meshech  was  one  of  the  sons  of  Ja- 
phet.  The  Moschi  are  supposed  to  have  been  his  descendants  ;  who 
dwelt  on  the  western  shores  of  the  Caspian  Sea,  north  of  Armenia. 
There  may  be  here  an  allusion  to  the  captivity. 

With  K< (Jar's  godless  train.  From  Kedar,  a  son  of  Ishinael,  an 
Arabian  tribe  was  descended,  who  stand  in  the  Scripture  (Is.  lx.  7.) 
as  representatives  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  desert,  and  of  all  wild  and 
fierce  nations. 

/  speak  of  peace,  but  peace  they  hate.  These  words  broke  from  the 
dying  Melancthon,  amidst  the  hot  disputes  of  the  theologians  of  his 
time. 


PSALM   CXXI. 

To  yon  bright  hills  I  lift  mine  eyes, 
And  thence  expect  mine  aid  ; 

Mine  aid  from  him  shall  soon  arise, 
Who  heav'n  and  earth  has  made. 

He  will  not  lei  thy  footstep  slide  ; 

Thy  guardian  shall  not  sleep: 
No  slumber's  cloud  the  eye  can  hide, 

That  Israel's  march  shall  keep. 


PSALM     CXXII.  237 

The  Lord  is  guardian  of  thy  way, 
O'ershad'wing  thee  with  might ; 

The  sun  shall  harm  thee  ne'er  by  day, 
Nor  e'er  the  moon  by  night. 

The  Lord  at  thy  right  hand  shall  spread 

His  saving  buckler  o'er 
Thine  outward  path,  thy  homeward  tread, 

Now  and  forevermore. 

NOTES. — "A  Song  of  the  .ascension."     In  the  version  of  Tate 
and  Brady,  this  Psalm  seems  to  be  ascribed  to  David; 
" His  watchful  care,  that  Israel  guards, 
Shall  Israel's  monarch  keep." 

There  is,  however,  in  the  original  no  such  reference  to  a  king.  In 
some  parts  of  the  world,  the  Jews  repeat  this  Psalm  to  one  who  is 
about  to  go  forth  on  a  journey. 

To  yon  bright  hills  I  lift  mine  eyes.  The  mountains  of  Palestine, 
and  especially  Moriah  and  Sion,  were  to  the  ancient  worshippers,  as 
has  been  before  remarked,  the  figures  and  emblems  of  the  eternal  hills 
above. 

Tlie  sun  shall  harm  thee  ne'er  by  day.  In  the  East,  the  terrible  effects 
of  sun-strokes  are  but  too  familiarly  known.  Hence,  the  umbrella, 
to  which  some  have  supposed  that  the  preceding  line  alludes,  was  a 
very  ancient  defence ;  and  hence,  also,  the  turban  is  worn.  Apollo, 
or  the  Sun,  was  represented  by  the  ancients  with  bow  and  arrows. 

Nor  e'er  the  moon  by  night.  There  has  always  been,  in  many  coun- 
tries, a  very  general  opinion  that  the  influence  of  the  moonbeams  is, 
to  some  degree,  pernicious.  The  Psalmist  does  not  imply  this, 
though  there  may  possibly  be  an  allusion  to  such  an  opinion. 


PSALM   CXXII. 

Glad  hails  my  heart  the  summons  sweet, 

When  eager  brethren  say, 
11  Come,  go  we  up  to  God's  fair  seat, 

To  keep  his  festal  day." 

Our  feet  within  thy  gates  shall  climb, 
Thy  gates  that  gleam  above  ; 

Thou  Salem,  thron'd  in  peace  sublime, 
And  girt  with  walls  of  love  ! 


238 


PSALM     CXXII. 


For  Salem  shines,  with  all  her  tow'rs, 

A  city  in  accord  ; 
And  there  the  tribes  array  their  pow'rs, 

The  tribes  thai  serve  the  Lord. 

There,  round  his  axk  of  witness  met, 

They  praise  his  name  divine  ; 
And  there  are  thrones  of  judgment  set, 

The  thrones  of  David's  line. 

Oh,  pray  for  Salem's  peaceful  days ! 

And  joy  for  those  shall  spring, 
Who  seek  thy  gates,  and  love  thy  praise, 

Thou  city  of  our  King  ! 

Peace  dwell  within  thy  lofty  walls, 

And  crown  thy  sacred  dome  ! 
And  blessings  fill  the  palace  halls, 

Our  heart's  perpetual  home  ! 

Formylov'd  brethren's  sake,  I  ciy, 

May  peace  around  thee  shine  ! 
And  for  the  house  of  God  most  High, 

All  blessing  still  be  thine  ! 

NOTES. — u  An  ascension  Song  of  David."  It  has  more,  howev- 
er, the  aspect  of  a  later  composition.  The  application  of  such  a 
song  of  pilgrims,  to  the  church  of  Christ,  is  too  obvious  to  be  pawed 
without  notice.  In  the  commentary  of  Bishop  Home,  the  reader 
will  find  that  noble  Latin  paraphrase,  originally  composed  by  Bu- 
chanan, and  repeated  with  some  alterations  by  Theodore  Zuinger,  on 
bis  death-bed.  The  translation  of  that  paraphrase,  by  Mr.  Merrick, 
which  is  also  inserted  there,  is  hardly  surpassed  in  effect  by  any  devo- 
tional poetry  in  our  language. 

A  city  in  accord.  This  seems  to  denote  the  completeness  and 
strength  of  the  structures,  without  any  unoccupied  space  or  disagree- 
able inequalities  of  architecture.  It  is  an  emblem  of  union  hi  the 
chunh. 


PSALM     CXXIV.  239 


PSALM   CXXIII. 

At  thy  footstool  low  we  wait, 
To  thy  throne  we  lift  our  eyes, 

Thou,  who  hold'st  thy  royal  state 
Far  beyond  the  glorious  skies. 

As  the  servant's  eye  intent 

Watches  for  his  lord's  command  ; 

As  the  maiden's  eyes  are  bent 
Lowly  on  her  mistress'  hand  ; 

So  our  eyes  and  so  our  pray'r 
To  the  Lord  our  God  ascend, 

Till  his  mercy's  sov'reign  care 
Downward  to  our  succour  bend. 

Lord  of  mercy,  mercy  grant ; 

Mercy,  for  our  soul  is  bow'd, 
Loaded  with  the  rich  man's  taunt, 

With  the  scorning  of  the  proud. 

NOTES. — "  A  Song  of  the  ascension  "  It  is  very  probably  one 
of  the  Psalms  of  the  exiles  in  Babylon. 

Loaded  uith  (lie  rich  man's  taunt.  The  rich  dwell  in  security  and 
luxury ;  and  this  is  rather  the  strict  meaning  of  the  original  word. 


PSALM   CXXIV. 

Were  not  the  Lord,  may  Israel  sing, 

Our  Champion  in  the  fight ; 
Were  not  the  Lord  our  conqu'ringKing, 

When  foes  array  their  might ; 

Had  not  his  arm  the  battle  turn'd, 
And  broke  the  impious  strife, 

The  wrath  of  man  had  onward  burn'd, 
And  whelm' d  our  forfeit  life. 


240  PSALM     CXXV, 

The  mighty  floods,  the  floods  of  pride, 

No  more  had  ceas'd  to  roll, 
Till  deep  beneath  their  stormy  tide 

Had  sunk  the  victim's  soul. 

Bless'd  be  the  Lord  !     He  hath  not  giv'n 

Our  souls  to  be  their  prey  : 
So,  when  the  fowler's  snare  is  riv'n, 

Far  soars  the  bird  away. 

The  snare  is  riv'n,  and  we  are  free  : 

To  God  our  spirits  rise  ; 
For  all  our  aid  comes  down  from  thee, 

Who  mad'st  the  earth  and  skies. 

NOTES. — "  An  ascension  Song  of  David."  It  is  more  probably 
of  later  origin,  as  it  seems  to  harmonize  better  with  the  fortunes  of 
the  nation  about  the  period  of  the  exile. 

So,  when  the  foirlers  snare  is  riv'n.  The  weakness  of  the  captive 
bird,  the  skill  of  the  fowler,  the  strength  of  the  entangling  net,  all 
make  this  a  very  apt  image  of  a  helpless  and  almost  hopeless  people, 
suddenly  delivered  by  an  Almighty  arm.  How  often  has  the  church 
of  God  been  even  thus  rescued  by  that  single  aid  ! 


PSALM   CXXV. 

Who  trust  the  Lord's  almighty  hand 
Like  Sion's  mount  unchang'd  shall  stand, 
Whose  rocks  forever  fast  remain, 
While  storms  and  focmen  dash  in  vain. 

As  round  Mount  Sion's  sacred  charms 
The  hills  extend  their  circling  arms, 
So  stands  the  Lord,  a  host  unseen* 
His  saints'  beleaguer'd  home  to  screen. 

Guilt's  iron  sceptre  shall  not  last 
Where  God  his  people's  lot  hath  cast, 
Nor  grow  th'  oppressor's  might  so  strong, 
To  bend  the  upright  hand  to  wrong. 


PSALM     CXXVI.  241 

Bless,  righteous  Lord,  the  righteous  heart, 
And  while  the  slaves  of  subtle  art, 
The  tempted  share  the  tempter's  doom, 
Shall  peace  and  love  for  Israel  bloom. 

NOTES. — "A  Song  of  the  ascension."  It  has  the  aspect  of  a 
production  of  that  time  which  immediately  succeeded  the  captivity. 

As  round  Mount  Sion's  sacred  charms.  It  is  well  known  that  Jeru- 
salem was  surrounded  by  vallies,  which  separated  it  from  neighbour- 
ing hills.  Reland  says,  (P;il.  Lib.  iii.  p.  SoS.)  "  the  city  stood  in  a 
mountainous  region  of  Judea  and  on  a  high  spot;  but  its  location 
was,  notwithstanding,  low  in  respect  to  the  surrounding  elevations, 
as  the  Mount  of  Olives  and  others  are  higher." 

To  bend  the  upright  hand  to  wrong.  This  would  be  the  heaviest  evil 
of  oppression,  if  it  could  move  the  servants  of  God,  in  despair  of  de- 
liverance, to  give  themselves  up  to  iniquity. 

Tlie  tempted  share  the  tempter's  doom.  There  seems  to  be  an  allusion 
to  some  victims  of  apostacy,  or  to  seducers  amongst  the  people 
themselves. 


PSALM   CXXVI. 

When  from  the  heathen  lands 
The  Lord  his  own  redeem'd, 

It  seem'd  to  Sion's  wond'ring  bands 
As  if  a  dream  we  dream' d. 

Then  joy  to  laughter  rose, 

And  mirthful  echoes  rang, 
While,  rescued  from  the  captive's  woes, 

Our  song  of  peace  we  sang. 

Then  e'en  the  heathen  cried, 

11  Great  deeds  their  Lord  hath  done  !" 
11  Great  deeds,"  our  joyful  hearts  replied, 

11  His  triumph  have  begun." 

Oh,  still  thine  own  restore, 

As,  from  the  mountains  fed, 
O'er  Southern  plains  the  torrents  pour, 

Each  to  its  ancient  bed. 
21 


242  PSALM     CXXVII. 

The  harvest  dawn  is  near, 

The  year  delays  not  long ; 
And  he  who  sows  with  many  a  tear 

Shall  reap  with  many  a  song. 

Sad  to  his  toil  he  goes, 

His  seed  with  weeping  leaves  ; 

But  he  shall  come,  at  twilight's  close, 
And  bring  his  golden  sheaves. 

NOTES. — "  A  Song  of  the  ascension."  It  was  evidently  written 
after  the  return  of  the  Jews  from  exile. 

As  if  a  dream  we  dream' d.  They  could  hardly  believe  that  so  mar- 
vellous a  deliverance  had  indeed  been  acconrplished.  Men  are  often 
thus  bewildered  by  excess  of  joy,  and  we  hear  the  question,  Is  this 
possible,  or  do  I  dream? 

As ,  from  the  mountains  fed.  In  hot  countries,  many  of  the  streams 
become  entirely  dry  in  the  summer  ;  but  in  the  rainy  season  they  are 
full  again,  and  rush  rapidly  down  from  the  hills.  This  was  a  delight- 
ful image,  to  express  the  return  of  those,  whose  exile  had  left  their 
land  so  desolate  and  barren.  Not  all  the  Jews  returned  at  once,  or 
indeed  at  all ;  and  therefore  this  petition  was  offered. 

His  seed  with  weeping  leaves.  It  might  happen  to  the  husbandman 
dependent  on  his  harvest  alone,  that  some  adverse  appearances  at 
the  seedtime  would  overwhelm  him  with  anxiety  and  sorrow ;  but 
when  we  pass  to  the  thing  signified  by  the  figure,  we  see  that  in  all 
sowing  except  the  literal,  this  must  often  be. 


PSALM   CXXVII. 

Except  the  Lord  shall  build  the  halls, 

In  vain  the  builder's  pain  ; 
Except  the  Lord  shall  guard  the  walls, 

The  watchman  wakes  in  vain. 

In  vain  the  toil  ere  morning  break, 
The  midnight  couch  unpress'd, 

The  anxious  care  that  still  must  wake, 
While  his  belov'd  may  rest. 


PSALM    CXXVIII.  043 

God  gives  the  blooming  household  band, 

And  crowns  the  fruitful  birth  : 
As  arrows  in  a  warriour's  hand, 

They  guard  the  plenteous  hearth. 

How  bless'd  the  man,  whose  quiver  bears 

So  bright,  so  dear  a  weight ! 
The  clash  of  arms  unharm'd  he  dares, 

Though  foemen  throng  the  gate. 

NOTES. — "  An  ascension  Song  of  Solomon."  The  thoughts  are 
so  similar  to  many  in  the  Book  of  Proverbs,  that  we  are  easily  in- 
clined to  credit  the  superscription. 

While  his  bdov'd  may  rest.  His  servants,  while  they  quietly  repose 
under  his  protection,  possess  a  security,  which  aJl  the  cares  and  efforts 
of  the  worldly  cannot  win. 

Though  foemen  throng  the  gate.  It  is  somewhat  uncertain,  whether 
this  passage  refers  to  judicial  controversies,  before  the  tribunals 
which  often  held  their  sessions  at  the  gates  of  cities  ;  or,  as  it  is  here 
rendered,  to  the  assault  of  enemies  upon  a  beleaguered  town. 


PSALM   CXXVIII. 

How  happy  is  his  part, 

Who  makes  the  Lord  his  dread, 
And  keeps  his  ways  with  joyous  heart, 

iVnd  still  unwav'ring  tread  ! 

The  fruits  of  thine  own  toil 

Shall  thy  repast  supply  ; 
And  calmly,  o'er  thy  plenteous  soil, 

Thy  happy  days  shall  fly. 

Like  some  fair,  fruitful  vine, 

Thy  spouse  thy  walls  shall  grace  ; 

Like  olives  round  thy  board  shall  twine 
Thy  young  and  blooming  race. 


244  PSALM     CXXIX. 

Lo,  thus  the  man  shall  live, 

Who  makes  the  Lord  his  dread  : 

And  God  from  Sion's  height  shall  give 
Rich  blessing  on  his  head. 

On  Salem's  peace  thine  eyes 
Through  all  thy  days  shall  rest, 

Shall  see  thy  children's  children  rise, 
And  see  thine  Israel  bless'd. 

NOTES.— "  A  Song  of  the  ascension."  This  Psalm  much  re- 
sembles the  preceding  in  its  contents  and  character.  The  possibility 
has  been  suggested,  that  it  might  be  a  nuptial  hymn,  and  that  the  pre- 
ceding Psalm  might  have  been  used  as  a  kind  of  cradle-song. 

Like  olives  round  thy  board  shall  twine.  Euripides  has  the  beautiful 
expression,  H.cc>^7reciooc  o-re<pctvof,  "a  wreath  of  children  fair." 


PSALM   CXXIX. 

Oh,  many  a  time  from  earliest  youth, 
Oh,  many  a  time,  may  Israel  say, 

The  foes  of  God  assail'd  my  truth, 

But  ne'er  o'ercame  th'  encircled  prej\ 

Hard  on  my  back  the  ploughers  plough'd, 
And  deep  their  furrows  red  they  drew  ; 

But  God  the  just  subdued  the  proud, 
And  far  their  sunder' d  fetters  threw. 

Let  Sion's  foes  turn  back  afraid, 

And  fade  as  grass  that  clasps  the  eaves  ; 

No  mower  crops  its  with'ring  blade, 
No  reaper  binds  it  to  his  sheaves. 

No  passing  strangers  linger  near, 
Or  o'er  the  gath'rers'  toil  exclaim, 

"  The  blessing  of  the  Lord  be  here  ! 
We  wish  you  blessing  in  his  name  !" 


PSALM    cxxx.  245 

NOTES. — "  A  Song  of  the  ascension.  It  must  have  been  written 
at  a  late  period  of  Jewish  history.  Its  application  to  the  Christian 
Church  is  striking  and  beautiful. 

Hard  on  my  back  the  ploughcrs  plough'' d.  Oppressions  are  first  com- 
pared with  stripes  ;  and  then  these  stripes  with  the  furrows  made  by 
a  plough.     It  is  a  figure  of  the  utmost  degradation  and  misery. 

And  fade  as  grass  that  clasps  the  eaves.  The  flat  roofs  in  the  East 
were  covered  with  earth,  on  which  a  little  grass  might  take  root. 
But  as  its  root  could  not  be  deep,  it  could  well  represent  a  momenta- 
ry joy. 

The  blessing  of  tfw  Lord  be  Jiere  !  Such  was  the  salutation  of  Boaz 
to  his  reapers.  (Ruthii.  4.)  "  He  said  unto  the  reapers,  The  Lord 
be  with  you.     And  they  answered  him,  The  Lord  bless  thee." 


PSALM   CXXX. 


Out  of  the  waters  deep  and  dark, 
O  Lord  my  Lord,  to  thee  I  cry  : 

Oh,  let  thine  ears  my  voice  but  mark, 
My  suppliant  voice  and  sigh. 

If  thou  our  sins  would' st  sternly  see, 
O  Lord  my  Lord,  oh,  who  could  stand  ? 

But  sweet  forgiveness  dwells  with  thee, 
That  all  may  fear  thy  hand. 

My  soul  on  God,  on  God  relies, 

More  true  my  hope  his  promise  waits, 

Than  watchmen  wait  till  morn  arise, 
Till  morn  unfold  her  gates. 

O  Israel,  trust  thy  King  Supreme  ; 

From  him  redeeming  mercies  flow  ; 
And  he  his  Israel  shall  redeem 

From  guilt  and  all  its  woe. 

NOTES. — "  A  Song  of  the  ascension."     It  seems  to  be  a  Psalm 
for  the  people  under  heavy  afflictions. 

If  thou  our  sins  would' st  sternly  sec.     Theodore  Beza,  just  before  he 
died,  commented  upon  these  words,  and  added  the  saying  of  St.  Am- 
brose, "  but  we  have  no  cause  to  be  ashamed  that  we  have  lived  ;  for 
we  have  a  gracious  Lord." 
21* 


246  PSALM     CX  XX  I. 

Than  watchmen  wait  till  morn  arise.  The  custom  was  that  one  of 
the  Levites  who  watched  in  the  temple  should  stand  to  observe  the 
first  rising  of  the  dawn ;  that  the  morning  sacrifice  might  be  duly 
prepared. 


PSALM   CXXXI. 

Lord,  I  am  not  proud  in  heart, 

Nor  of  lofty  eye  ; 
Nor  above  my  lowly  part 

Strive  to  walk  on  high. 

Like  an  infant  meek  and  mild, 

I  have  learn'd  to  rest ; 
Like  a  gentle,  humble  child 

On  his  mother's  breast. 

Thus,  O  Israel,  trust  the  Lord  ; 

Trust  him  and  adore  : 
He  shall  be  thy  full  reward, 

Now  and  evermore. 

NOTES. — "  An  ascension  Song  of  David."  Its  real  origin  can- 
not be  fully  determined ;  but  there  may  seem  to  be  in  it  an  expression 
of  the  disposition  of  the  people,  when  adversity  had  chastened  and 
purified  them.  Dr.  Wolff,  in  his  Researches,  mentions  a  book 
written  by  a  converted  Jew  in  the  East,  in  which  it  is  recommended 
that,  when  a  person  is  not  able  to  sleep,  he  should  read  this  Psalm. 
The  recommendation  is  in  harmony  with  the  quiet  and  trusting  meek- 
ness of  the  sacred  poet. 

Lilic  a  gentle,  htmbli  child.  "  A  weaned  child"  is  the  literal  trans- 
lation ;  and  such  a  child,  still  lying  on  the  breast  of  his  mother,  is  re- 
garded by  many  ashen;  made  the  figure  of  entire  acquiescence.  But 
it  may  be  doubted  whether  the  force  of  the  comparison  lies  in  that 
circumstance. 


PSALM     CXXXII.  247 


PSALM   CXXXII. 

O  Lord,  remember  David  now, 
And  think  on  all  his  weight  of  care  ; 

How  to  the  Lord  he  made  his  vow, 

To  Jacob's  Strength  and  Sov'reign  sware ; 

"  I  will  not  tread  within  my  hall, 

I  will  not  climb  to  seek  repose, 
No  slumber  on  mine  eyes  shall  fall, 

No  cloud  of  sleep  mine  eyelids  close  ; 

Till  I  have  found  a  worthy  seat, 

Where  God  his  earthly  throne  may  raise, 

And  realms  may  worship  at  his  feet, 

And  Israel's  Strength  and  Sov'reign  praise." 

Lo,  Ephrath  sent  its  bless'd  report ; 

Mid  sylvan  fields  its  place  we  found  : 
Oh,  tread  we  now  within  his  court, 

And  at  his  footstool  bow  around. 

Arise,  O  Lord,  to  thine  own  rest, 

Thou,  and  thine  ark,  of  old  so  strong  : 

With  robes  of  truth  thy  priests  invest, 
And  swell  with  joy  thy  people's  song. 

For  David's,  for  thy  servant's  sake, 
Oh,  turn  not  thine  Anointed' s  face  : 

And  thou  thy  truth  canst  never  break, 
The  truth  thou  swar'st  to  David's  race  ; 

14  Upon  thy  throne  thy  seed  shall  reign, 
And  if  their  heart  my  cov'nant  own, 

And  still  my  honour'd  laws  maintain, 
Their  seed  shall  hold  an  endless  throne." 


24S  PSALM     CXXXII. 

For  high  on  Sion's  hill  above, 

The  Lord  has  fix'd  his  dwelling  bright : 

11  This  is  the  city  of  mv  love, 
The  chosen  rest  of  my  delight. 

I  bless  her  stores  with  large  increase, 

And  plenteous  bread  her  poor  shall  bring  : 

Her  priests  shall  walk  in  robes  of  peace, 
And  songs  of  joy  her  saints  shall  sing. 

There  David's  blooming  might  shall  tow'r ; 

Thence  mine  Anointed's  light  shall  stream  : 
Enrob'd  in  shame,  his  foes  shall  cow'r, 

But  bright  his  endless  crown  shall  beam." 

NOTES. — "A  Song  of  the  ascension."  It  was  evidently  com- 
posed at  the  time  of  the  dedication  of  the  first  temple,  aud  may  be  the 
work  of  Solomon.  When  the  second  temple  was  dedicated,  it  may 
have  been  also  sung,  and  thus  have  become  comiected  with  the  later 
Psalms. 

How  to  the  Lord  he  made  his  vow.  Whether  such  a  vow  were  strict- 
ly made  in  these  terms  by  David,  we  have  no  other  account ;  and  it 
may  be  merely  a  poetical  mode  of  expressing  his  fixed  and  devout 
determination.  There  arc  forms  of  speech  amongst  us,  not  alto- 
gether dissimilar;  such  as,  u  I  shall  not  rest  till  I  have  accomplished 
this." 

Lo,  Ephrath  sent  its  hlcss'd  report.  Bethlehem,  called  Ephrata  or 
Ephrath,  "  the  fruitful,"  was  but  six  miles  from  Jerusalem.  It  was 
the  birth-place  of  David;  and  before  Jerusalem  had  been  selected  as 
the  metropolis,  may  have  been  a  town  of  more  distinction  than  that 
city  of  the  Jebusites.  Mount  Moriah,  a  place  so  near,  may  have 
been  mentioned  under  the  general  name  of  Ephrath,  and  may  have 
been  a  somewhat  wild  spot,  with  forests,  at  the  time  when  it  was 
first  designated.  The  temple  was  built,  as  is  well  known,  at  the  place 
before  occupied  by  the  threshing-floor  of  Oman.  It  is  difficult  to 
avoid  the  thought  that  the  divine  inspiration  designed,  too,  in  this 
passage  a  reference  to  the  birthplace  of  Him  who  was  the  truest 
temple  of  God  ;  the  incarnate  Saviour. 


PSALM     CXXXIII.  249 


PSALM   CXXXIII. 

Behold,  how  joyous  is  the  sight, 

How  good  the  spirit's  part, 
When  brethren  dear  their  lot  unite, 

One  happy  home  and  heart ! 

Not  richer  once  the  oil  appear'd, 

That,  pour'd  on  Aaron's  head, 
Flow'd  gently  down  his  flowing  beard, 

And  o'er  his  garments  spread. 

Not  softer  dews  on  Hermon's  side 

From  balmy  skies  distil ; 
Not  softer  down  from  heav'n  they  glide 

To  Sion's  sacred  hill. 

For  there,  where  love  on  brethren's  breasts 

Has  bound  its  holy  tie, 
The  Lord's  eternal  blessing  rests, 

And  life  that  cannot  die. 

NOTES. — u  An  ascension  Song  of  David."  We  can  easily  be- 
lieve it  to  be  the  work  of  the  royal  minstrel ;  and  need  to  seek  no 
special  occasion  for  its  origin. 

That,  pour'd  on  Aaron's  head.  That  costly  and  fragrant  oil  or  oint- 
ment was  composed  (Ex.  xxx.  23,  24.)  of  myrrh,  cinnamon,  calamus, 
cassia  and  oil-olive  ;  and  must  have  emitted  the  richest  perfume. 
Hardly  any  figure  was  nobler  to  the  Orientals. 

Not  softer  dews  on  Hermon's  side.  This  is  another  image,  peculiar- 
ly delightful  in  the  burning  East. 

For  there,  icftcre  love  on  brethren's  breasts.  "  There,''1  is  referred  by 
many  to  Sion ;  but  the  version  which  is  here  given  appears  more 
suitable  to  the  whole  purport  of  the  Psalm.  Perhaps  there  may  be 
still  an  ambiguity  in  the  original.  • 


250  PSALM    cxxxv. 


PSALM   CXXXIV. 

Lo,  ye  that  serve  the  Lord  of  light, 
Within  his  temple,  night  by  night, 
While  thus  3^3  keep  }rour  faithful  ward, 
Lift  holy  hands,  and  bless  the  Lord. 

The  Lord,  who  made  the  heav'ns  on  high, 
The  sun,  the  moon,  the  starry  sky, 
And  spread  below  the  earth  and  sea, 
From  Sion  bless  thy  pray'r  and  thee. 

NOTES.— "  A  Song  of  the  ascension."  This  is  the  last  of  the 
Psalms  which  bear  this  title;  and  it  may  be  supposed  that  the  pilgrims 
have  now  climbed  the  hill  of  Sion.  It  is  evident  that  the  first  stanza 
is  addressed  to  the  Levites  who  kept  their  nightly  watch  in  the  tem- 
ple. The  latter  stanza  may  be  their  response  to  the  people ;  or  the 
whole  might  be  sung  by  alternate  choirs  among  themselves. 

From  Sion  bless  thy  pray'r  and  thee.  From  Sion,  as  if  from  the 
heavenly  courts  of  which  it  was  the  image,  all  blessings  proceeded, 
for  which  an  Israelite  could  hope. 


PSALM    CXXXV. 

Oh,  praise  the  Lord  !  With  glad  acclaim 
The  Lord's  high  honours  raise  : 

Oh,  praise  the  Lord's  almighty  name  ; 
Let  all  that  serve  him,  praise  ! 

Oh,  praise  the  Lord  !  His  gloiy  sing, 

All  ye  that  stand  and  wait 
Within  the  courts  of  God  our  King, 

Wifliin  his  temple  gate. 

Oh,  praise  the  Lord  !   The  Lord  is  kind, 

The  Lord's  great  name  is  dear, 
In  his  own  Jacob's  love  enshrin'd, 

In  Israel's  love  and  fear. 


PSALM    cxxxv.  251 

For,  us  the  Lord  our  Maker  chose, 

And  taught  our  hearts  to  own, 
How  high  his  throne  in  glory  glows 

O'er  ev'ry  idol  throne. 

The  Lord  is  great :  his  great  decree 

The  wide  creation  keeps  ; 
The  heav'n,  the  earth,  the  rolling  sea, 

The  caverns  of  the  deeps. 

He  lifts  the  outstretch'd  clouds  on  high, 
And  show'r  and  lightning  blends  ; 

And  from  his  treasures  in  the  sky 
The  swift-wing' d  tempest  sends. 

His  signs,  O  Egypt,  shook  thy  coasts, 

When  all  thy  firstborn  died, 
From  beast  to  man,  from  subject  hosts 

To  Pharaoh's  crown  of  pride. 

He  march'd  o'er  nations'  cloven  pow'rs, 

And  mighty  monarchs  slain  ; 
Sihon  and  Og,  and  Heshbon's  tow'rs, 

And  Bashan's  mountain  reign ; 

Till  all  the  kings  of  Canaan  bled, 

From  Jordan  to  the  West ; 
And  Israel  to  his  home  he  led, 

His  home  of  promis'cl  rest. 

Thy  name,  O  Lord,  endures  in  light, 

While  ages  downward  flow  ; 
For  thou  wilt  judge  thy  people's  right, 

And  pity  all  their  woe. 

The  heathen  gods  are  gods  of  gold ; 

Or  silver,  fashion'd  fair  : 
Man  gave  them  silent  lips  and  cold, 

That  mock  their  vot'ry's  pray'r ; 


2-32  PSALM    cxxxv. 

Man  gave  them  ears  that  naught  can  hear, 
And  eyes  that  naught  can  view, 

And  mouths,  but  breath  or  accent  ne'er 
Or  spoke  or  murmur'd  through. 

And  dull  like  them  and  dead  are  they, 

Who  loud  their  praises  tell, 
And  trust  the  gods  of  gold  or  clay, 

Themselves  have  fram'd  so  well. 

O  house  of  Israel,  bless  your  King, 

And  praise  that  name  divine  : 
O  house  of  Aaron,  haste  and  bring 

Your  praises  to  his  shrine  : 

O  house  of  Levi,  strike  the  chord, 

His  holy  song  to  raise  : 
O  ye  that  fear  him,  bless  the  Lord, 

And  utter  all  his  praise. 

Oh,  bless  the  Lord  from  Sion's  walls, 

The  Lord  who  reigns  above, 
Yet  deigns  to  dwell  in  Salem's  halls  ; 

Bless  ye  the  Lord  of  love. 

NOTES. — This  is  probably  one  of  the  later  Psalms,  prepared  to 
be  sung  in  the  temple. 

He  lifts  tfie  outstretched  clouds  on  high.  The  language,  which  is 
literally,  "he  maketh  the  clouds  to  come  up  from  the  end  of  the 
earth/'  seems  to  express  that  which  appears  to  the  eye,  when  the 
clouds  arise  from  the  horizon. 

The  heatJien  gods  (ire  gods  of  gold.  This  delineation  is  taken, 
though  somewhat  abridged,  from  the  one  hundred  and  fifteenth 
Pttlm,  which  perhaps  is  Otherwise  imitated. 


PSALM     CXXXVI.  2-33 


PSALM   CXXXVI. 

Oh,  thank  the  Lord,  the  Lord  of  love, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly : 

Oh,  thank  the  God,  all  gods  above, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die. 

Oh,  thank  the  mighty  King  of  kings, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly : 

His  arm  alone  high  wonders  brings, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die ; 

Whose  wisdom  gave  the  heav'ns  their  birth, 
Because  he  loves,  wThile  ages  fly ; 

And  on  the  waters  spread  the  earth, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die  ; 

Who  taught  yon  glorious  lights  their  way, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly ; 

The  radiant  sun,  to  rule  the  day, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die  ; 

The  moon,  to  rule  the  silent  night, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly  ; 

The  stars,  to  pour  their  sister  light, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die  ; 

Who  smote  th'  Egyptian's  stubborn  pride, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly  ; 

When,  in  an  hour,  their  firstborn  died, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die  ; 

But  led  his  Israel  from  their  land, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly ; 

With  outstretch'd  arm,  and  conqu'ring  hand, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die ; 

22 


254  PSALM     CXXXVI. 

Who  wide  the  Red  Sea's  waters  clave, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly  ; 

And  guided  Israel  through  the  wave, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die  ; 

But  buried  Pharaoh  and  bis  bands, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly  ; 

And  led  his  flock  o'er  desert  sands, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die  ; 

Who  smote  proud  monarchs  in  their  might, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly  ; 

And  warlike  princes  slew  in  fight, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die ; 

Sihon,  the  king  of  Heshbon's  tow'rs, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly  ; 

And  Og,  the  lord  of  Bashan's  pow'rs, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die  ; 

And  gave  their  land,  a  household  lot, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly  ; 

His  servant  Israel's  household  spot, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die  ; 

Who  thought  on  us,  amidst  our  woes, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly  ; 

And  snatch'd  us  from  our  conqu'ring  foes, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die ; 

Who  daily  feeds  each  living  thing, 
Because  he  loves,  while  ages  fly  : 

Oh,  thank  the  heav'n's  Almighty  King, 
Because  his  mercy  ne'er  shall  die. 

NOTES. — Thii  Psalm  very  nearly  resembles  the  preceding  in  its 
contents;  and  had  probably  a  similar  (late  and  origin.  It  was  evi- 
dently prepared  to  ho  Ring  with  a  chonu  at  each  verse,  from  a  sepa- 
rate hand  of  >ingers  or  from  the  whole  people.  Lightfoot  says  that 
there  were  six  and  twenty  generations  from  the  creation  to  the  con- 
quest of  Sihon  and  Og,  whieh  cloeei  the  enumeration  of  the  mercies 
of  God  hy  the  Psalmist  in  this  place  ;  and  that  therefore  the  chorus 


PSALM     CXXXVII.  255 

occurs  six  and  twenty  times.  He  also  remarks  that  the  numerals  of 
the  name  Jehovah  amount  to  six  and  twenty.  The  version  of  this 
Psalm  hy  Milton  is  the  only  one  of  his  Psalms,  which  can  be  pro- 
nounced even  respectable. 

Because  his  vu  rcy  ne'er  shall  die.  For  the  sake  of  making  a  verse 
more  tolerable  to  an  English  ear,  I  have  varied  the  translation  of  the 
chorus  in  the  second  and  fourth  lines  of  each  stanza. 

And  an  the  waters  spread  tlie  earth.  The  earth  is  viewed  as  stand- 
ing out  of  the  waters,  and,  as  it  were,  supported  by  them.  It  is  a 
natural  and  poetical  representation. 


PSALM   CXXXVII. 

By  Babel's  streams  we  sat  and  wept ; 

Our  thoughts  to  distant  Sion  clung ; 
While  plaintive  winds  our  harp-strings  swept, 

That  on  the  drooping  willows  hung. 

For  there  our  conqu'rors,  in  their  pride, 
Had  ask'd  a  strain,  to  crown  our  wrongs  ; 

And  they  that  spoil' d  our  altars  cried, 
11  Come,  sing  us  one  of  Sion's  songs." 

How  shall  we  sing,  while  here  we  roam 
The  Lord's  sweet  song,  in  Salem  set 

When  I  forget  thee,  O  my  home, 
Let  my  right  hand  her  skill  forget ! 

And  let  my  tongue  refuse  her  part, 
My  lips  no  more  their  portals  move 

If  Salem  fade  within  my  heart, 
And  leave  behind  a  dearer  love  ! 

Remember,  Lord,  how  Edom's  band, 

In  leaguer'd  Sion's  day  of  woe, 
Urg'd  on  the  conqn'ror's  impious  hand, 

And  shouted  loud,  "  o'erthrow  I  overthrow !" 


2-5G  PSALM     CXXXVIII. 

Daughter  of  Babel,  doom'd  to  fall, 
Bless'd  be  the  spoiler  of  thy  tow'rs 

Bless'd  the  fierce  arm,  that  down  thy  wall 
Shall  hurl  thy  babes,  as  hurl'd  ye  ours 


i 


ra   f 


NOTES. — This  is  plainly  the  work  of  a  captive,  or,  more  proba- 
bly, of  one  lately  delivered  from  captivity. 

By  Babels  streams  ice  sat  and  wept.  Babel  or  Babylon  was  the 
name,  not  only  of  the  city,  but  of  the  land.  There  rolled  the  Eu- 
phrates and  the  Tigris;  and  possibly  the  rivers  may  be  mentioned, 
because  the  Jews,  from  the  custom  of  ablutions  before  their  prayers, 
placed  their  oratories  on  the  banks  of  rivers. 

Remember,  Lord,  lww  Edam's  bands.  The  Edomites  had  shewn 
themselves  very  hostile  to  the  Jews  at  the  period  of  the  conquest;  and 
the  prophet  Ezekiel  (xxv.  12,  &c.)  had  denounced  the  divine  judg- 
ments against  them. 

Shall  hurl  thy  babes,  as  hurVd  ye  ours!  Such  horrors  attended  the 
wars  of  early  times.  Isaiah  (xiii.  16.)  adds  the  same  circumstance  to 
his  description  of  the  woes  that  should  come  upon  Babylon.  It  was 
not  wished  from  cruelty  of  disposition,  but  is  named  as  one  of  the  ter- 
rible features  in  the  picture  of  destruction. 


PSALM   CXXXVIII. 

With  my  whole  heart,  O  Lord  of  love, 

My  thankful  gift  I  bring  ; 
Before  thine  angel  hosts  above, 

My  lay  of  praise  I  sing. 

I  bow  me  tow'rd  thy  holy  place, 

And  thank  thy  faithful  name  ; 
For  thou  hast  rais'd  thy  word  of  grace 

O'er  all  thine  ancient  fame. 

I  call'd  thee  in  my  day  of  need, 

Nor  long  thine  nnswer  staid  ; 
Thou  arm'd'st  my  soul  with  strength  and  speed, 

By  thine  almighty  aid. 


PSALM     CXXXIX.  2-57 

All  kings  of  earth  thy  words  shall  hear, 

And  lift  their  thankful  voice, 
The  greatness  of  thy  glory  fear, 

And  on  thy  paths  rejoice. 

The  Lord's  pure  throne  is  fix'd  on  high  ; 

But  thence  in  mercy  bow'd, 
Dwells  on  the  poor  his  gracious  eye, 

And  knows  trom  far  the  proud. 

Though  I  must  walk  mid  thronging  woes, 

Thy  love  shall  give  me  life  : 
Thy  strong  right  hand  shall  crush  my  foes, 

And  end  their  stormy  strife. 

The  Lord  shall  all  my  cause  fulfil ; 

His  mercies  cannot  fade  : 
Oh,  leave  not,  Lord,  in  days  of  ill, 

The  work  thy  hands  have  made. 

NOTES. — "A  Psalm  of  David."  There  is  nothing  to  fix  its  origin 
at  any  later  period. 

Overall  thine  ancient  fame.  The  meaning  of  this  passage  seems  to 
be,  that  the  recent  mercies  of  the  Lord  had  more  magnified  his 
glory  in  the  sight  of  the  Psalmist  than  all  former  histories  of  his 
power  and  wonders. 


PSALM   CXXXIX. 

Lord,  thou  hast  search'd  my  secret  breast ; 
Thou  know' st  my  rising  and  my  rest ; 
And  ev'ry  thought  that  silent  lies 
Is  bright  beneath  thy  piercing  eyes. 

Thou  art  about  the  path  I  tread  ; 
Thou  art  around  my  nightly  bed  ; 
And  not  a  word  is  on  my  tongue, 
But  in  thy  sight,  O  Lord,  it  sprung. 
22* 


258  PSALM     CXXXIX. 

Surrounded  by  thy  pow'r  I  stand  ; 
Where'er  I  turn,  I  feel  thy  hand: 
Such  wisdom  tow'rs  beyond  my  sight ; 
Far,  far  too  high  for  mortal  flight. 

If  e'er  my  soul  could  long  for  wings, 
To  shun  thy  might,  O  King  of  kings, 
Where  from  thy  Spirit  could  I  hide, 
Or  where,  beyond  thy  beams  abide  ? 

If  high  as  heav'n  I  strive  to  soar, 
There  angels  round  thy  throne  adore  ; 
If  down  to  hell's  dread  couch  I  bow, 
There,  in  thy  terrors,  Lord,  art  thou. 

If  on  the  morning's  plumes  I  flee, 
To  dwell  beyond  the  utmost  sea, 
Thy  hand  should  still  my  path  prepare, 
Thy  strong  right  arm  should  meet  me  there. 

Or,  if  I  ask  the  shroud  of  night, 

Lo,  midnight's  gloom  shall  beam  with  light : 

There  is  no  night  beneath  thy  ray, 

But  darkness  shines  like  dawning  day. 

My  inmost  heart,  O  Lord,  is  thine  ; 
Thou  wov'st  around  each  subtle  line ; 
And  glad  my  soul  the  praise  shall  tell 
Of  him  whose  work  she  knows  so  well. 

Long  ere  to  light  and  life  it  came, 
Thou  form'd'st  this  strange  and  awful  frame  : 
Where  deep  in  earth  no  eye  could  see, 
The  secret  work  was  watch' d  by  thee. 

All  shone  beneath  thy  piercing  look, 
And  all  was  written  in  thy  book  ; 
While,  day  by  day,  the  members  grew, 
Nor  yet  their  form  and  beauty  knew. 


PSALM    CXXXIX.  259 

How  dear  to  me  thy  thoughts  of  good  ! 
How  vast  they  greet  my  musing  mood  ! 
The  ocean  sands  far  fewer  lie  : 
I  sleep,  I  wake,  and  thou  art  nigh. 

Thy  conqu'ring  sword  the  proud  shall  slay  : 
Omen  of  blood,  away,  away  ! 
For  loud,  O  Lord,  their  curses  ring, 
While  on  thy  name  their  scorn  they  fling. 

Hate  I  not  them  that  hate  thee,  Lord  ; 
That  lift  rebellion's  arms  abhorr'd  ? 
I  loathe,  I  dread,  the  dark  design, 
And  all  the  foes  of  God  are  mine. 

Search,  search  me,  thou  who  look'st  within, 
And  try  my  thoughts'  most  secret  sin  : 
Pour  down  thy  beams  where'er  I  stray, 
And  lead  me  in  th'  eternal  way. 

NOTES.— "  For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David. "  It  is  for 
the  most  part  a  sublime  hymn,  of  a  general  design;  but  in  one  por- 
tion, the  poet  appears  as  an  individual  surrounded  by  ungodly  and 
bloody  men.  There  may  be  nothing  special,  however,  in  the  repre- 
sentation ;  as,  alas,  the  servants  of  God  could  always  adopt  but  too 
far  the  same  language. 

Thou  art  about  the  path  I  tread.  The  version  of  Tate  is  so  noble  in 
this  part  of  the  Psalm,  that  it  could  hardly  be  surpassed ;  and  an  au- 
thor would  be  very  bold,  who  should  aspire  to  rival  it. 

My  inmost  heart,  0  Lord,  is  thine.  From  the  vastness  of  the  omni- 
presence of  God,  the  Psalmist  passes  to  the  minuteness  of  his  omnis- 
cience. The  wide  universe  illustrates  the  former ;  the  human  frame, 
the  latter. 

Wlierc  deep  in  earth  no  eye  could  see.  This  seems  but  a  poetical 
mode  of  designating  the  embryo  state. 

And  all  icas  written  in  thy  book.  All  was  accurately  appointed  and 
arranged,  as  if  in  a  written  plan. 

Search,  search  me,  thou  icho  look'st  within.  Devout  and  consoling 
conclusion  of  this  awful  and  yet  delightful  theme  !  He  who  offers 
this  prayer  from  Ins  heart  is  already  on  his  way  to  eternal  life. 


2G0  PSALM     CXL. 


PSALM   CXL. 

Save  mo,  O  Lord  !  From  ev'ry  foe, 
From  the  proud  spoilers'  cruel  blow, 
From  evil  hearts  that  love  deceit, 
Preserve,  O  Lord,  thy  servant's  feet. 

All  day  they  gather  to  the  strife, 

Each  tongue  a  murd'rer's  sharpen'd  knife  ; 

The  serpent's  bite  is  in  their  teeth, 

The  adder's  venom  lurks  beneath. 

Then  save  me,  Lord,  from  treach'rous  hands, 
From  the  proud  spoiler's  cruel  bands  ; 
That  fast  the  ambush' d  death  prepare, 
And  spread  around  the  net  and  snare. 

O  Lord,  I  cry,  my  God  art  thou  : 

Hear,  Lord  my  God,  my  suppliant  vow ; 

And  lift  thy  suce'ring  shield  of  might, 

That  guards  my  head  through  fields  of  fight. 

Oh,  grant  not,  Lord,  their  evil  will, 
Nor  one  dark  heart's  device  fulfil ; 
But  let  their  treach'rous  crests  be  bow'd, 
And  shame  and  fear  o'erwhelm  the  proud. 

Their  lips'  own  guile  shall  crush  them  down  ; 
Red,  flaming  coals  their  brows  shall  crown  ; 
Till  deep  in  yawning  fires  they  sink, 
Beneath  the  pit's  eternal  brink. 

The  man  whose  words  are  dark  and  base 
Shall  fix  on  earth  no  lasting  place  ; 

And  he  who  loves  the  guilty  deed 
From  vengeful  darts  in  vain  shall  speed. 


PSALM    CXLI.  2G1 

The  Lord  shall  guard  the  cause  oppress'd, 
And  give  the  weary  suff'rer  rest : 
The  just  their  hymn  of  thanks  shall  swell, 
And  with  their  God  forever  dwell. 

NOTES. — "For  the  chief  musician,  a  Psalm  of  David."  Its  oc- 
casion, if  indeed  he  were  the  author,  cannot  be  known. 

Red,  flaming  coals  their  brows  shall  crown.  This  description  or  de- 
nunciation may  seem  to  be  the  earliest  instance  of  that  dreadful 
imagery  by  which  the  New  Testament  represents  the  misery  of  the 
lost. 


PSALM   CXLI. 


O  Lord,  to  thee  I  cry  ; 

Oh,  let  thine  arm  be  near  ; 
And  while  my  vows  ascend  on  high, 

Bow  down  thy  gracious  ear. 

Oh,  let  my  early  pray'r 

Like  morning  incense  rise  ; 

And  mine  uplifted  hands  prepare 
An  evening  sacrifice. 

My  lips,  O  Lord,  surround 
With  gate  and  watch  and  bar ; 

And  from  my  bosom's  hallow' d  ground 
Drive  evil  thoughts  afar. 


*&* 


Nor  let  my  hand  be  press'd 
To  hands  that  joy  in  sin  ; 

Nor  let  me  come,  a  guilty  guest, 
Where  revels  guilt  within. 

When  righteous  lips  shall  chide, 
The  voice  of  love  I  know  : 

Like  healing  oil  their  accents  glide, 
And  I  must  bless  the  blow. 


2G2  PSALM     CXLI. 

It  bows  not  low  my  head 

With  anguish  and  despair  ; 
But  more  the  sinner's  paths  I  dread, 

And  lift  my  humbler  pray'r. 

When  down  each  rocky  dell 
Their  fleeing  chiefs  are  hurl'd, 

Sweetly  my  strain  of  praise  shall  swell, 
And  win  the  list'ning  world. 

For  now  our  bones  are  left, 

All  strew' d  around  the  grave, 
Like  boughs  that  late  the  woodman  cleft 

Around  some  forest  cave. 

But  still,  O  God  my  King, 

I  turn  me  to  thy  throne  : 
To  thee  my  stedfast  hope  would  cling ; 

Oh,  leave  me  ne'er  alone. 

Oh,  save  me,  close  beset 

By  toils  that  sinners  lay  : 
Ensnare  them  in  their  own  false  net, 

And  bear  me  safe  away  ! 

NOTES. — "  A  Psalm  of  David."  It  expresses  probably  the  emo- 
tions of  his  heart  during  some  of  the  persecutions  which  he  endured 
at  the  hands  of  Saul,  and  at  the  instigation  of  baser  enemies.  This 
was  named  from  the  second  verse,  "  the  evening  Psalm,"  and  sung 
at  evening  service,  in  the  ancient  church ;  •'  in  order,"  says  St.  Chry- 
sostom,  "  that  whatever  spot  or  stain  may  have  been  contracted 
during  the  day,  while  we  have  been  occupied  in  the  forum  or  at 
home  or  in  any  other  place,  may,  when  we  arrive  at  evening,  be  re- 
moved through  this  spiritual  song," 

An  evening  sacrifice.  The  morning  and  evening  sacrifices  at  the 
sanctuary  were  of  divine  appointment  It  is  the  supplication  of  Da- 
vid that  his  own  prayers  may  be  as  phasing  in  the  sight  of  God  as 
the  institutions  which  God  had  himself  established. 

Like  healing  oil  tluir  accents  giide.  This  passage  is  not  without 
difficulty,  and  has  been  variously  interpreted;  but  me  sense  which  is 

here  given  appears  decidedly  the  easiest  and  the  best.     It  is,  also,  the 
Sense  adopted  in  the  authorized  translation  of  the  Bible. 

When  down  each  rocky  d<U.  Jlere,  also,  the  ingenuity  of  interpret- 
ers has  been  much  exercised,     1  am  by  no  means  confident  in  the 


PSALM     CXLII.  263 

correctness  of  this  version.  Much  may  be  said  in  favour  of  the  trans- 
lation, "  when  their  judges  were  dismissed  in  the  sides  of  the  rock, 
they  heard  my  words,  that  they  were  pleasant ;"  in  allusion  to  the 
manner  in  which  David  called  to  Saul,  after  suffering  him  to  go  away 
without  injury  from  the  cave  in  the  wilderness  of  Engedi. 

For  now  our  bones  are  left.  The  description  is  that  of  great  distress, 
and  the  most  imminent  peril  of  life.  One  can  hardly  forbear  be- 
lieving that  this  kind  of  imagery  was  borrowed  by  David  from  his 
wanderings  in  the  wild  regions  to  which  he  fled  from  Saul. 


PSALM   CXLII. 

My  voice  shall  mount  to  God  on  high ; 
My  suppliant  voice  to  God  shall  cry  : 
Before  his  face  I  pour  my  tears, 
And  tell  my  sorrow  in  his  ears. 

When  griefs  my  fainting  soul  o'erflow, 
Thou  know' st  the  lonely  way  I  go  : 
Thou  see'st  the  toils  thy  foes  have  spread, 
To  snare  thy  servant's  guileless  tread. 

In  vain  around  I  turn  mine  eye  ; 
At  my  right  hand  no  friend  is  nigh : 
My  distant  refuge  fades  away  ; 
And  no  man  seeks  me  where  I  stray. 

O  Lord  my  Saviour,  thus  to  thee, 
Without  a  hope  beside,  I  flee  ; 
To  thee,  my  shelter  from  the  strife, 
My  portion  in  the  land  of  life. 

Oh,  mark  on  high  my  suppliant  vow, 
For  low  with  burd'ning  griefs  I  bow : 
And  bear  me  from  the  slayer's  might, 
That  fast  pursues  my  feeble  flight. 

Redeem  me  from  these  captive  chains, 
That  I  may  lift  my  grateful  strains, 
Where  thine  own  saints  shall  gather  near, 
And  love  thy  works  of  love  to  hear. 


264  PSALM     C  XL  III. 

NOTES. — "  A  Poem  of  David  ;  a  Prayer  when  he  was  in  the 
cave."  Its  origin  is,  no  doubt,  rightly  stated  in  the  superscription, 
except  that  we  can  hardly  suppose  it  actually  composed  within  the 
cave  itself. 

Redeem  mc  from  these  captirr  chains.  This  is  a  figurative  expres- 
sion; literally  translated,  "wing  my  soul  out  of  prison."  There  is 
no  reason  to  think  that  it  conveys  any  allusion  to  the  cave. 


PSALM   CXLIII. 

Lord,  listen  to  my  call, 

And  answer  to  my  trust ; 
While  low  before  thy  throne  I  fall, 

Thou  ever  true  and  just ! 

Nor  let  unpitying  right 

Thy  servant's  doom  decide  ; 

For  living  mortal  in  thy  sight 
Shall  ne'er  be  justified. 

The  fierce  pursuers'  tread 
My  life  has  trampled  down  ; 

They  lay  me  with  the  ancient  dead, 
Where  midnight  shadows  frown. 

My  heart  within  me  sinks  ; 

For  bitter  floods  o'erflow  : 
My  inmost  spirit  trembling  shrinks, 

Deserted  in  her  woe. 

I  think  on  days  of  old, 

And  all  thy  wonders  trace  ; 
The  days  that  long  thy  might  have  told, 

The  wonders  of  thy  grace. 

To  thee  I  stretch  my  hands  ; 

To  thee  my  tears  complain ; 
And  thirsts  my  soul,  as  thirsty  lands 

For  drops  of  summer  rain. 


PSALM    CXLIV.  2G5 

Oh,  hasten,  Lord,  and  hear, 

For  griefs  my  life  consume  : 
Nor  hide  thy  face,  for  I  am  near 

The  dwellers  of  the  tomb. 

Oh,  let  my  hope  but  see 

Thy  love  with  dawning  day  ; 
And  as  I  lift  my  heart  to  thee, 

So  lighten  thou  my  way. 

Redeem  me  from  my  foes, 

And  guide  me  in  thy  will : 
I  seek  in  thee  a  safe  repose  ; 

My  God,  my  Refuge  still ! 

Let  thy  good  Spirit  lead, 

Till  thy  bright  kingdom  ope  ; 
And  be  thy  name,  in  all  my  need, 

My  life  and  conqu'ring  hope. 

Destroy,  thou  just  and  true, 

The  slayer's  fell  design ; 
And  all  that  hem  my  soul  subdue, 

For  I  am  always  thine  ! 

NOTES.— "A  Psalm  of  David."  There  is  nothing  to  fix  its 
special  occasion  among  the  events  of  his  life. 

They  lay  me  with  tJie  ancient  dead.  The  figure  is  either  that  of  old 
and  deserted  sepulchres  ;  or  of  the  shadowy  land  beyond  the  grave, 
shadowy  now  no  longer. 


PSALM    CXLIV. 

Bless'd  be  the  Lord,  my  Strength  and  Rock, 
The  Lord,  whose  fav'ring  might 

Has  nerv'd  my  arm  for  battle's  shock, 
And  taught  my  hand  to  fight. 
23 


266  PSALM     CXLIV. 

The  Lord,  my  Goodness  and  my  Pow'r, 

My  Saviour  and  my  Shield  ; 
I  trust  in  that  embattled  tow'r, 

And  rebel  armies  yield. 

Lord,  what  is  man,  the  child  of  clay, 

To  win  thy  thought  or  eye  ? 
Vain  as  the  shadows  on  their  way, 

Our  days  are  fleeting  by. 

Oh,  bow  thy  heav'ns,  great  God,  from  far, 

And  come  in  glory  down  : 
The  hills  shall  feel  thy  passing  car, 

And  bend  their  smoking  crown. 

With  lightnings  light  the  stormy  cloud, 

With  arrows  from  thy  bow  ; 
And  strew  the  banners  of  the  proud, 

And  all  their  strength  o'erthrow. 

Stretch  forth  thine  arm,  and  rend  the  sky, 

And  bear  me  from  the  wave  : 
Though  round  me  roll  its  floods  so  high, 

Oh,  yet  thy  suppliant  save. 

Save  from  the  strangers'  impious  band, 
Whose  lips  o'erflow  with  guile  ; 

Whose  arm'd  right  hand,  a  false  right  hand, 
Belies  their  treach'rous  smile. 

A  new-made  song,  my  God  and  Lord, 

To  thee  my  heart  shall  sing : 
I  strike  the  psalt'ry's  silver  chord, 

The  lyre  of  tenfold  string. 

I  sing  thine  arm,  thine  arm  alone, 

By  highest  kings  ador'd, 
That  vict'ry  gave  to  David's  throne, 

And  snatcli'd  him  from  the  sword. 


PSALM     CXLIV.  267 

Still  save  me  from  the  strangers'  band, 

Whose  lips  o'erflow  with  guile  ; 
Whose  arm'd  right  hand,  a  false  right  hand, 

Belies  their  treach'rous  smile. 

So,  as  the  stately  stems  entwine, 

Our  sons  shall  gird  our  home : 
Our  maids  like  pillars  fair  shall  shine, 

That  lift  a  royal  dome  : 

So,  ev'ry  plenteous  store  shall  fill 

The  garner  and  the  field ; 
So,  thousands  and  ten  thousands  still 

The  peaceful  folds  shall  yield  : 

So,  strong  to  bear  his  burdening  toil, 

The  gen'rous  ox  shall  tread  : 
No  conqu'ror's  hand  shall  grasp  the  spoil, 

No  captive's  tear  be  shed  ; 

No  wail  along  our  streets  shall  ring  : 

Oh,  bless'd  is  such  a  land ; 
Oh,  bless'd  the  realm  where  God  is  King ; 

Whose  strength  by  him  shall  stand  ! 

NOTES.— "A  Psalm  of  David."  It  is  certainly  the  song  of  a 
monarch  ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  arguments  of  De  Wette,  ground- 
ed upon  its  resemblance  to  the  eighteenth  Psalm,  there  seems  no 
sufficient  cause  to  believe  it  an  imitation,  from  a  later  age.  The 
eighteenth  Psalm  itself,  composed,  as  it  was,  near  the  end  of  the  life 
of  David,  might  have  borrowed  much  of  its  imagery  from  this.  In 
the  concluding  verses,  however,  there  is  a  tone  that  strikes  the  ear 
like  a  remembrance  of  darker  days  than  those  of  Israel  under  David. 

So,  as  the  stately  stems  entwine.  "  Finer  figures  than  these,"  says 
De  Wette,  "  could  not  have  been  selected,  to  contrast  the  rugged 
energy  of  manly,  with  the  tranquil  beauty  of  female,  youth." 

No  conqu'ror's  hand  shall  grasp  tlie  spoil.  The  literal  translation  is, 
"no  breach  and  no  going  forth."  This  has  been  variously  under- 
stood ;  but  the  sense  which  is  here  given  is  the  most  probable,  and, 
beyond  dispute,  the  noblest. 


2GS  PSALM     CXLV. 


PSALM  CXLV. 

A  song  of  endless  praise  I  sing, 
To  bless  thy  name,  O  God  my  King  : 
By  day,  by  night,  my  thanks  I  raise, 
And  sing  the  lay  of  endless  praise. 

Crown'd  with  the  crown  of  dazzling  state, 
Great  is  the  Lord  ;  his  praise  be  great : 
Descending-  years  his  deeds  proclaim, 
And  age  to  age  shall  sound  his  name. 

Eternal  down  that  living  tide, 
Amidst  their  songs  my  song  shall  glide  ; 
For  I  will  praise  thy  robes  of  light, 
And  sing  the  wonders  of  thy  might. 

Greatness  and  goodness,  love  and  fear, 
Man  tells  of  thee,  and  earth  shall  hear ; 
How  sweet  thy  mercy's  gentle  beams, 
How  rich  thy  bounty's  ceaseless  streams. 

In  grace  so  vast,  so  slow  to  wrath, 
The  Lord's  kind  love  is  o'er  our  path  : 
Joy  lives  by  him  in  all  that  live, 
And  taste  the  wealth  his  bounties  give. 

King  of  the  world,  each  living  thing 
Shall  join  the  praise  thy  saints  would  bring, 
Lift  on  the  winds  a  glorious  strain, 
And  sing  thy  dazzling  pow'r  and  reign. 

Might,  glory,  splendour,  dwell  with  thee  ; 
And  all  the  peopled  earth  shall  see  : 
Nor  change  nor  time  thine  empire  owns, 
From  age  to  age,  the  throne  of  thrones. 


PSALM     CXLVI.  269 

Ox  thee  reclines  the  trembler's  trust ; 
Thou  lift'st  the  fall'n  from  woe  and  dust : 
Pray'r  looks  to  thee  in  countless  eves, 
And  bread  for  all,  thy  love  supplies. 

Rejoicing  at  thine  open'd  hand, 
All  living:  things  around  thee  stand  : 
So  righteous,  Lord,  are  all  thy  ways  ; 
So  all  thy  works  thy  goodness  praise  ! 

To  him  that  calls  the  Lord  is  nigh, 
To  him  that  lifts  a  faithful  cry  : 
Up  e'en  to  reach  the  courts  above, 
Ascends  the  wish  of  fear  and  love. 

When  hastes  the  Lord  his  own  to  save. 
Then  yawns  for  guilt  the  awful  grave  ! 
Ye  tribes  of  earth,  oh,  join  my  soul, 
To  praise  his  name  while  ages  roll ! 

NOTES—  A  Song  of  Praise,  by  David."  This  is  the  last  of  the 
alphabetic  Psalms.  The  ancient  Jews  had  a  saying,  that  u  he  could 
not  fail  to  be  a  child  of  the  world  to  come,  who  would  say  this 
Psalm  three  times  a  day." 

From  age  to  age,  the  throne  of  thrones.  In  the  original,  the  letter 
Nun  is  omitted :  but  a  verse  is  supplied  by  the  Septuagint.  There 
we  read.  M  faithful  is  the  Lord  in  his  words,  and  holy  in  all  his  works." 
This  would  begin  in  Hebrew,  with  Nun.  As  it  is  difficult  to  explain 
an  intentional  omission  of  that  letter,  it  is  possible  that  the  verse  might 
belong  to  the  original  Psalm.  Bishop  Lowth  regards  it  as  certain ; 
but  there  are  in  the  other  Psalms  of  this  class,  similar  irregularities, 
which  may  shake  our  confidence  in  his  opinion. 


PSALM   CXLVI. 


Praise  ye  the  Lord  !   My  spirit,  praise 
Thy  God  through  all  thy  length  of  days 
I  praise  him  with  the  breath  he  gh 
I  praise  him  while  my  spirit  Ln 


270  PSALM     CXLVI. 

Trust  not  the  promis'd  arm  of  kings, 
The  strength  that  man's  vain  succour  brings  : 
His  breath  departs  :  he  sinks  to  clay  : 
His  thoughts  arecrush'd  in  one  brief  day. 

Oh,  bless'd  the  heart,  whose  hope  and  aid 
On  God,  on  Jacob's  God  is  staid ; 
Who  made  the  heav'n,  the  earth,  the  main, 
And  all  their  heights  or  depths  contain  ; 

Who  keeps  his  cov'nant  and  his  trust ; 
Who  gives  th'  oppress'd  a  judgment  just ; 
Who  feeds  the  poor  from  bounteous  hands  ; 
And  breaks  the  captive's  iron  bands. 

The  Lord  unseals  the  sightless  eyes, 
And  gives  the  weary  strength  to  rise  : 
The  Lord  dissolves  the  exile's  fears, 
And  guards  the  widow's  lonely  years. 

The  Lord  maintains  the  orphan's  cause, 
And  loves  the  man  who  loves  his  laws  ; 
But  down  a  false  and  deadly  way 
He  leaves  the  sinner's  feet  to  stray. 

The  God  of  Sion's  bulwarks  bright 
Shall  reign  through  years  of  endless  flight : 
Oh,  sing,  thou  city  of  his  choice  ; 
And  praise  the  Lord,  each  mortal  voice  ! 

NOTES. — The  Septungint  ascribes  this  Psalm  and  the  two  which 
follow,  to  the  prophets  Haggai  and  Zecfaariah;  which  cannot  well 
be  more  than  a  conjecture. 

But  down  a  falsi  and  deadly  way.  lie  disappoints  their  Counsels, 
and  leaves  them  to  the  fruits  of  their  own  choice. 


PSALM     CXLVII.  271 


PSALM   CXLVII. 

Oh,  praise  the  Lord  ;  for  well  belong 

High  praises  to  our  King  ; 
And  sweet  to  us  the  voice  of  song, 

When  God's  dear  praise  we  sing. 

The  Lord,  on  Salem's  lofty  crest, 

Rebuilds  her  ruin'd  walls  ; 
And  back  to  Israel's  ancient  rest 

The  exil'd  race  recalls. 

He  comes  to  soothe  the  couch  of  woe, 

And  all  its  pains  depart : 
He  pours  the  healing  balsam's  flow, 

And  binds  the  bleeding  heart. 

He  tells  yon  host  that  gem  the  skies, 

And  names  each  starry  light : 
Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  wise, 

Beyond  a  creature's  sight. 

The  Lord,  in  endless  pow'r  Supreme, 

Exalts  the  humble  head  ; 
And  breaks  the  sinner's  guilty  dream 

Beneath  his  conqu'ring  tread. 

Oh,  answer  to  the  Lord  with  songs, 

With  songs  of  sacred  fire  : 
Oh,  lift  to  God  a  strain  of  throngs, 

And  wake  the  sounding  lyre. 

The  clouds'  dark  march  o'er  heav'n  he  guides, 

And  sends  the  rushing  rain  : 
He  clothes  the  grassy  mountain's  sides, 

And  clothes  the  velvet  plain. 


272  PSALM     CXLVII. 

The  beasts'  wide  wants  his  care  supplies, 
From  hill  and  field  and  wood  ; 

He  hears  the  nestling  ravens'  cries, 
And  gives  them  plenteous  food. 

He  joys  not  in  the  might  of  steeds, 

In  footmen  swift  or  strong ; 
The  Lord's  delight  are  righteous  deeds, 

And  hearts  that  wait  him  long. 

O  Salem,  high  his  hymn  resound  ; 

Let  Sion's  God  be  bless'd  ! 
His  arm  has  fenc'd  thy  portals  round, 

And  giv'n  thy  children  rest. 

Through  all  thy  vales  he  yields  thee  peace, 

And  on  thy  guarded  shore  ; 
And  fills  with  all  the  fields'  increase 

Thy  garners'  golden  store. 

Wide  o'er  the  world  his  word  he  sends, 

And,  fast  as  breezes  fly, 
To  utmost  earth's  untrodden  ends 

His  fleet  commandments  hie. 

He  spreads  like  wool  the  snowy  sheet, 

The  frost  like  ashes  casts; 
He  drives  in  storms  his  icy  sleet ; 

And  who  can  bear  his  blasts  ? 

He  sends  his  word  :  o'er  frozen  plains 

The  milder  breezes  blow; 
And  leaping  from  their  melting  chains, 

The  joyous  torrents  flow. 

He  show'd  his  laws  to  Israel's  bands, 

To  Jacob's  ^('cd  his  word  ; 
So  know  his  deeds  no  heathen  hinds  : 

Oh,  praise  the  gracious  Lord  ! 


PSALM     CXLVIII.  273 

NOTES. — It  appears  from  the  second  verse,  that  this  Psalm  wa3 
composed  after  the  return  from  Babylon. 

He  hears  tlie  nestling  ravens1  cries.     So  in  Job  (xxxviii.  41.) 
M  Who  provideth  for  the  raven  his  food  I 
When  his  young  ones  cry  unto  God, 
They  wander  for  lack  of  meat." 

The  raven  is  said  to  desert  her  young  very  early,  leaving  them  to 
fill  the  air  with  their  cries  of  complaint. 

His  arm  has  fenced  thy  portals  round.  This  appears,  as  Rosen- 
mueller  has  remarked,  as  if  the  erection  of  the  walls  under  Nehemiah 
may  have  been  fresh  in  remembrance. 

He  spreads  like  wool  the  snowy  sheet.  Eustathins  is  quoted  as  say- 
ing that  the  ancients  called  the  snow  a  watery  fleece  ;  and  so  Martial 
names  it,  (Epig.  Lib.  iv.  3.)  "  densum  vellus  aquarum."  The 
whiteness,  thinness  and  softness  of  both  are  the  points  of  comparison. 

And  who  can  bear  his  blasts  ?  We  are  to  think  of  the  cold  north 
wind,  piercing  a  frame  accustomed  to  the  genial  sun  of  the  East. 


PSALM   CXLVIII. 


PRAISE    THE    LORD 


Praise  the  Lord  from  heav'n  on  high  ; 
Praise  him  in  the  lofty  sky ; 
Praise  him,  all  his  angels  bright ; 
Praise  him,  all  his  hosts  of  light ; 
Praise  him,  sun  and  moon  afar ; 
Praise  him,  ev'ry  radiant  star. 

Praise  him,  heav'ns  that  heav'n  upbear ; 

Waters,  higher  hung  in  air ; 

Let  them  praise  their  sov'reign  Lord, 

For  they  rose  beneath  his  word  : 

He  hath  fix'd  their  places  fast, 

With  a  bound  that  ne'er  was  pass'd. 

Praise  the  Lord  from  earth  below ; 
Monsters  of  the  ocean's  flow  ; 
Fire  and  cloud,  and  snow  and  hail, 
And  the  storm's  obedient  gale  ; 


274  PSALM     CXLIX. 

Mountains,  and  their  highlands  all ; 
Fruitful  groves,  and  cedars  tall ; 

Beasts  that  field  or  forest  bore  ; 
Worms  that  creep,  and  birds  that  soar  ; 
Kings,  and  men  of  lowly  birth  ; 
Chiefs  and  judges,  thron'd  on  earth; 
Youths  and  maids  in  blooming  choirs  ; 
Smiling  babes,  and  hoary  sires  : 

All,  your  Lord's  high  name  proclaim, 
High  and  bright  o'er  ev'rv  name  : 
Heav'n  and  earth  his  glory  spread, 
While  he  lifts  his  people's  head, 
Lifts  the  seed  that  own  his  fear, 
Israel,  to  the  Lord  so  dear. 
Praise  the  Lord ! 

NOTES. — This  is  a  Psalm  apparently  composed  at  first  for  public 
use  in  the  temple,  and  at  a  time  of  national  prosperity.  Bishop 
Horsely  calls  it  "a  Hymn  for  the  Sabbath."  There  is  a  good  para- 
phrase by  Mrs.  Hemans. 

Praise  him,  hcav'ns  that  hcatfn  upbear.  Beyond  the  visible  heaven 
a  higher  heaven  was  represented  to  the  imagination.  St.  Paul 
(2  Cor.  xii.  2.)  speaks  of  Paradise  as  the  third  heaven. 

Waters,  higher  hung  in  air.  This  is  the  same  representation  of 
clouds  and  vapours  as  in  the  narrative  of  the  creation.  (Gen.  i.  C.) 
M  And  God  said,  Let  there  be  a  firmament  in  the  midst  of  the  waters, 
and  let  it  divide  the  waters  from  the  waters."  For,  the  lower  atmo- 
sphere is  called  a  firmament  and  heaven. 

JVorms  that  creep,  and  birds  that  soar.  The  Talmud  and  the  Koran 
describe  the  mountains  and  forests,  the  birds  and  all  living  things,  as 
literally  responding  to  the  songs  of  David.     (Koran  xxi.  xxxiv.) 


PSALM   CXLIX. 


Praise  ye  the  Lord  !    yet  loftier  lays 
With  his  assembled  people  sing  : 

Let  Israel  tel]  his  Maker's  praise, 
And  Sion's  children  bless  their  King. 


PSALM     CL.  275 

Oh,  praise  his  name  with  harp  and  voice, 
With  timbrel's  clang,  and  measur'd  tread  ; 

He  loves  the  people  of  his  choice, 

And  wreathes  with  joy  the  humble  head. 

Oh,  let  his  honour' d  saints  be  strong, 
And  sing  and  slumber  undismay'd  ; 

To  God's  high  praise  attune  the  song, 

And  grasp  with  might  the  conqu'ring  blade. 

So  let  them  quell  the  broad  domains 

Where  Gentile  darkness  hung  till  now  ; 

And  bind  their  kings  with  iron  chains, 
Their  chiefs  in  lowly  fetters  bow  : 

So  let  them  bear  th'  avenging  rod, 
And  do  his  word's  own  just  award  : 

Such  glory  waits  the  saints  of  God, 

Through  distant  years  :  oh,  praise  the  Lord  ! 

NOTES. — This  Psalm  is  probably  of  nearly  the  same  date  with 
the  preceding. 

Let  Israel  tell  his  Maker's  praise.  The  word  Maker  is  here  in  the 
plural,  in  conformity  with  the  divine  name.  That  name  itself  is  a 
mystery,  unless  it  contain  a  reference  to  the  plurality  of  persons  in 
the  Godhead. 

And  sing  and  slumber  undismay'd.  The  literal  version  is,  "  sing 
upon  their  couches ;"  which  may  express  either  the  constancy  or  the 
security  of  their  rejoicing. 

To  God's  high  praise  attune  the  song.  Bishop  Patrick  supposes 
that  they  are  represented  as  singing,  according  to  the  ancient  customs, 
when  they  went  forth  to  battle. 

And  bind  their  kings  icith  iron  chains.  Under  figures  like  these, 
the  subjection  of  the  whole  world  beneath  the  dominion  of  the  Gospel 
was  boldly  foreshadowed. 


PSALM    CL. 

PRAISE  YE  THE  LORD  ! 


Oh,  praise  our  God,  where,  bright  in  grace, 
His  presence  lights  his  holy  place  : 


27G  PSALM     CL. 

Oh,  praise  him  from  the  heav'nly  arch, 
Where  goes  his  pow'r's  resplendent  march  : 

Oh,  praise  him  for  his  deeds  of  fame, 
The  might  that  all  his  foes  overcame  ; 
And  praise  him  for  his  glorious  throne, 
That  shines  on  all,  and  shines  alone. 

Oh,  praise  him  with  the  trumpet's  sound, 
While  all  his  temple  answers  round  ; 
And  praise  him  with  the  lofty  lyre, 
And  silv'ry  psalt'ry's  chords  of  fire. 

Oh,  praise  him  with  the  timbrel  sweet, 
And  dancing  tread  of  joyous  feet ; 
And  praise  him  with  the  notes  that  ring 
From  ev'ry  harp  of  various  string. 

Oh,  praise  him  with  the  cymbals  loud  ; 
Oh,  praise  him  with  the  cymbals  proud  : 
Let  all  that  breathe,  with  glad  accord, 
Lift  high  their  voice,  to  praise  the  Lord  ! 

Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

NOTES. — This  also  is  doubtless  a  Psalm  prepared  for  the  temple; 
and  probably  one  of  the  latest. 

His  presence  lights  his  holy  place.  The  earthly  sanctuary  and  the 
heavenly  may  both  be  here  imagined,  and  perhaps  both  were  meant; 
the  former  as  the  shadow  of  the  latter. 

Oh,  praise  him  with  the  cymbals  proud.  Different  instruments  may 
be  designated  in  these  two  lines.  The  literal  translation  is,  " cymbals 
of  hearing  and  cymbals  of  clangour." 

Thus  closes,  of  course,  the  last  of  the  five  Masoretic  books  of  the 
Psalms.  In  the  Septuagint,  the  old  Italic  version,  the  Mozarabic, 
and  elsewhere,  another  Psalm  is  added,  which  is  said  to  have  been 
written  by  David  alter  ins  victory  over  Goliath.  It  has  evidently 
no  claim  to  insertion. 


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Rt.   Rev.   George   Burgess,   D.D., 
Bishop  of  Maine,  1847-1866. 


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